Cricket
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
EXIES captain Marc Tucker is banking on tomorrow's Griffith District Cricket Association grand final rematch against Yenda to fire up his players after a slow start to the season.
Exies defeated the Jets to win last summer's two-day premiership but are yet to hit their stride after recording one win and one loss in their opening games of the 40-over competition.
Tucker, however, isn't too worried. With batsman Phil Burge returning this week and paceman Duane Ashcroft putting his hand up for first grade, Tucker believes Exies are primed to deliver their best performance of the season.
"It's a grand final rematch, so there's probably a bit of pressure on," he said.
"But with Phil Burge back after missing last week, he'll help stiffen up our middle order.
"Big Duane Ashcroft is also coming out of retirement for us.
"He's raring to go and is a big in for our bowlers."
But batting is what has occupied Tucker's thoughts most this week after Leagues Club skittled Exies for 93 last Saturday.
"You can't defend under 100," Tucker said. "You need to be getting 160 and 170 every week to win games.
"We've been working on batting at training.
"If we can build some partnerships, hopefully the runs will come for us."
One player Exies will have to watch out for tomorrow is Jets all-rounder Tom Spry, who has been in devastating touch with bat and ball.
In two games this season he has amassed 120 runs and snared seven wickets.
Jets captain Shaun Stubbs said Spry was the type of player who could turn a game with individual brilliance.
"There aren't many teams that have a player like that at their club," he said.
"He can go out their and pretty much turn a game upside down.
"He's pretty dangerous on his day."
From a team perspective, Stubbs is hoping for a better fielding display against Exies after the Jets dropped five catches last week.
"I'm hoping we can hold them this week," Stubbs said.
"It's more those dolly ones that someone in kindergarten could take that we seem to be dropping."