Heat out to turn around season
HIGHTON captain Jacob Smith is confident that his side can make a charge for the GCA2 premiership, despite entering the second half of the season outside the top four.
As the Heat prepares for tomorrow’s clash against flag contender Torquay, Smith believes his side is capable of overcoming the inconsistencies of the early rounds.
“We’re not too bothered about anyone else — we’re just going to try and keep winning,” Smith said.
“It’s been an inconsistent season with a lot of unavailabilities, but blokes have come in and stood up.
“I personally feel that we are the best team in the competition. We’ve had an inconsistent start, but over the last month when everyone has been in, we’ve played some really good cricket.
“I wouldn’t want to play against us at the end of the year. I’m confident we will be making finals.”
Highton sits a game behind Torquay in fifth spot, with a 4-5 win-loss record. But the Heat sent a message before Christmas, handing Bell Park its first loss of the season.
“We’ve been on the wrong end of a couple of close ones, but it would be nice if we were sticking to our plans at the end of those close games,” Smith said. “If you’re going to make a good premiership run, then you have a win a couple of big, close games.
“We were lucky enough to win a close one before Christmas (against St Peter’s). From a bowling perspective we need to make sure that we finish off the overs that we start well, and from a batting perspective, we need a bit more discipline but that’s improving.”
While acknowledging the key departure of Tigers’ batsman Mike Jones, Smith would not be drawn on the impact it would have on the coastal club.
The Heat will make one change, with Brandon Ross (wedding) replaced by Nathan Grant.