Heat on bowlers to maintain concentration as Bears defend a ‘par score’

MARSHALL captain Kal Dubbeldam will implore his bowlers to iron out any inconsistencies if they are to defend 236 against Bell Park at home today.

Dubbeldam described the target as a par score, but said patchy sessions this season had cost his bowling side runs.

“A few games . . . there’s one session that lets us down, so if we can bowl the way we can and bowl consistently, I think we should hopefully be OK defending that score,” he said.

“It's a good wicket and the outfield is pretty quick, so we need to bowl well.

“It’s in the balance, but you know whenever you get 200plus on the board, you’re quietly confident.

“It’s going to be all about bowling dry lines and lengths, and defending the score we have on the board.”

The Bears were 7-185 when Stan Grazotis was dismissed.

Daniel Whitworth (25) and Cameron Fletcher (31) added tail end runs, however, giving the Bears the “extra 40-50 runs” that could prove decisive.

“‘Whitty’ and ‘Fletch’ put on a great partnership to get us up to 236 — it could have been under-par at 180-200, but the boys pushed on pretty well,” Dubbeldam said.

“That could be the difference, that extra 40-50 runs.

“Corey (Walter) has obviously been batting outstanding, consistently making 50s and 60s, and we have one or two make starts but the rest aren’t getting on with it, so it’s good to see everyone’s making starts but it would be nice to see more guys pushing on.

“We just haven’t clicked as a batting group yet.”

He said Shane Lymer, coming off 98 last game, and brother Mick would be the two key wickets today.