Batting concerns for Nelson coach
Nelson Griffins representative cricket coach Ruan Louw is demanding more application from his batsmen now less than two weeks out from the start of their Hawke Cup elimination series.
Nelson head to Rangiora’s Mainpower Oval to take on Canterbury Country in round one of their zone three series on December 16-17, with Sunday’s TownCountry clash at Saxton Oval highlighting some areas of concern for Louw.
Nelson were originally scheduled to play Canterbury Country in a two-day fixture at Saxton Oval last weekend but when that was cancelled, Louw opted for a oneday two innings match involving all of his representative players.
Wakatu batsman Devon Serrurier starred with the bat, scoring 90 not out in Town’s innings of 190 before representa- tive seamer Thomas Zohrab took five wickets to help dismiss Country for 95. Country had reached 120-2 in their second innings when the match ended in a draw, with Mason Thelin and Adam Leonard each scoring 43 and opener Evan Jones unbeaten on 32.
Country seamer Matt Weir also took 5-43 to highlight a profitable day for the bowlers.
However, Serrurier’s 95-ball contribution, which included nine fours and a six, proved the exception in two otherwise barren first innings batting efforts.
‘‘Obviously Devon put his hand up, he looked sharp in scoring half his team’s runs and did it with good intent, so I’m keen to open the door for players,’’ Louw said.
But that came with the proviso that players needed to be performing on a regular basis.
‘‘I think we still need to be making better decisions in batting. Batters are getting themselves in and then doing exactly the same things and getting themselves out.
‘‘There are very few times when batters are got out, and while bowlers are taking wickets every week in club cricket, I see batters batting well and then just tossing their wickets away.’’
He was looking for more composure, better decision making and maturity from his batters and said it was essential that batsmen focused on batting time.
‘‘In club cricket especially we get into the frame of mind where you go into a net and you bat for eight minutes and that’s your lot for the week and then you wonder why you can’t bat.
‘‘We’ve got players who can bat and I’ve got every confidence in our lads.
‘‘[But] the players need to change their mindsets to bat longer. They’ve got the ability, they’ve got the talent, it’s just about digging their heels in and seeing it through.
‘‘I’m confident the boys can bat for a day but they’ve got to execute. On Sunday 22 wickets fell in 104 overs and that isn’t great, but the plus side to that is that the bowlers bowled very well. They bowled tight lines, they built pressure ... it was really good
‘‘There were no demons in the wicket so there was no reason for me that we should have lost 22 wickets.
‘‘But credit to the bowlers and the fieldsmen, they bowled well, they stuck to plans ... so there’s many positives to take from that.’’