RESTORING THE (MIDDLE) ORDER
JAN Juc coach Ben Grinter says an improvement from his side’s middle order is crucial for its clash against ladderleader Ocean Grove today.
After losing 9-38 in Round 1 to Barwon Heads and 6-21 in last week’s rain-interrupted draw against Collendina, Grinter is well aware of the pressure his middle-order batsmen face in the later overs of one-day matches.
“We’re not just quite there with our middle order. I think one-day cricket builds a lot of pressure on batsman who come in around that 25-30 over mark that obviously need to get off strike or score runs,” Grinter said.
“The majority of guys are saving their better bowlers for the back-end of innings. It does put a lot of pressure on batsmen to feel like they have to score.
“In Round 1 with Sam Schaller bowling late in Barwon Heads’ innings and Char- lie Lamb doing the same for Collendina (last week), we probably found that we get a little bit frustrated that we aren’t scoring as freely as the top order has been and it ends up costing us wickets — and we tend to lose them in clumps quickly.”
Grinter himself is sitting second in the league for runs after notching two solid 50s in succession.
“It’s nice to spend a bit of time out in the middle. The more time you spend, the more runs you tend to make, so it’s been good,” he said.
Along with Nick Smith and Jordan Graham, who with the ball have been both damaging and economical, Jan Juc is close to piecing together a formidable best XI.
Grinter is hopeful recruit Hamish Withers will return this week to bolster the middle order, but expects a few changes to occur nonetheless for what looms as a real test of his side’s depth against Ocean Grove — the only unbeaten team after three rounds.
Early wickets and maximis- ing the influence of Smith, Graham and Josh Norman is key to knocking off the redhot Grubbers, according to Grinter.
“We’ll be looking to take early wickets and try and take as many scalps in the first 15 overs as we can,” he said.
“By the look of them they bat very deep, so it’ll be a challenge for us but one we’re looking forward to, as it’ll give us an indication of where we’re at and we’re we need to be to compete with the top four sides in the A1 fixture.”