Quick leaves gaping hole
HIS shoulder might not be 100 per cent, but it won’t stop Wests all-rounder Dan Kearney from bearing an extra load.
The Townsville Cricket front-runners will return to A Grade action for the first time since Christmas today – but they do it without frontline bowler Jaymie Dunlop.
The representative quick has moved interstate over the break, leaving a gaping hole in the Wests line-up on their hunt to avenge last year’s grand final loss to Sub Parks.
Kearney, who is still fighting back from a pre-season shoulder rupture, is not afraid to pick up a few overs but he admitted he won’t be able to do it on his own.
“He (Dunlop) was a key part of our line-up so we’ll definitely miss him. The only way to replace him is with the entire squad of bowlers we’ve got,” he said.
The competition leaders know there is a target on their backs, but they plan to take each game as it comes and knock off the competition.
“We’re certainly confident in our own ability,” he said.
“I suppose if we take things day by day and tick off the little things, that spot at the top will take care of itself. We know that’s an important place to be when there’s rain around.”
Coming out of the T20 fixtures, Kearney does not foresee much of an adjustment period for the competition frontrunners.
Most of their batsmen, he said, were typically aggressive regardless of game format and this was just the “part and parcel” of playing to the team’s strengths.
Wests will have their work cut out for them in their return to the pitch, up against a hungry Wanderers side flying high off a win last weekend.
Despite their ladder position, Kearney said standings would mean little in the second half of the season.
“You can’t count your chickens before they hatch in Townsville cricket. Each team has the ability to come out and play good cricket on their day,” he said.
“I think the biggest thing for us is keeping our energy levels us. When we’re playing with good energy, we play good cricket and that’s something we can control.
“The end of the season is in sight now, so we’re feeling very refreshed after the T20s and have good motivation to push hard towards finals.”