Demons batsmen promise to play it straight
SURFERS Paradise batsmen are taking it upon themselves to haul the Demons out of the Kookaburra Cup cellar, beginning with today’s bottom-ofthe-table clash with Helensvale Pacific Pines.
With just one win from eight games, the Demons have slipped to last place as they prepare to host the Hawks in a one-day encounter at David Johnston Oval.
Batting has so far been their achilles heel, with just one score of more than 150 in seven turns at the crease.
However, they showed signs of encouragement in last Saturday’s loss to high-flying Broadbeach Robina, reaching 251 all out to fall 20 runs short of victory.
Fast bowler Mike Waldren, who has 12 wickets at 17.08 this season, said the batting group had taken ownership of the side’s fortunes heading into the second half of the campaign.
“Obviously our batting has been the weakest part of our performances and we have been working on that at training. In the previous round,we saw the (batsmen) started to improve a little bit so hopefully we can continue that,” the 22year-old said.
“With our batting, we’re just trying to keep wickets in the shed and pace ourselves a little bit more. As a team, the bowling’s been pretty good.
“It’s not the way we wanted to start (the season) but we have been there or thereabouts in every single game. We just haven’t quite got over the line.
“We go into every game wanting to win so (today’s match) is no different to any other weekend.”
Elsewhere today, unbeaten Burleigh travel to Coomera Hope Island, Broadbeach Robina host fellow heavyweight Southport Labrador, Alberton Ormeau meet Palm Beach Currumbin at Trevor Hammel Field, and Runaway Bay make the trip to Mudgeeraba Nerang.