Grampians Cricket Association’s Sam Cocks and Lachlan Oddie sit within the top three division two champion players before the last match on Thursday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Although the team is yet to win a match, the players have individually performed well.
Opening batsman and captain Sam Cocks started his week-long campaign with a solid 55 on Monday before being run out.
After winning the toss on Tuesday and electing to bat first, Cocks only managed two before being run out again.
Another chance to score runs was awarded, as the team were sent in to bat again after their opponents declared.
Cocks took the opportunity of a second innings, adding a quick 56 runs.
Cocks scored 56 again on Wednesday morning in his bid to set up the team with a strong start against Colac.
Lachlan Oddie has been commanding with the ball in hand, claiming 11 wickets for his efforts in the first three matches.
In his third country week, Oddie said he was just trying to do his best for the team.
“The first few days so far I’ve felt pretty good,” Oddie said on Wednesday.
“The wickets aren’t too dissimilar to what I’m used to, the batsmen aren’t just playing me well.”
Oddie said although he has played in Country Week matches before, you can’t go in with too many expectations.
“I’ts country week, you can’t expect anything really,” he said.
“Usually every team has different cricketers every year so you can’t go in thinking the same.
“Going into the last day I’m just going to go in and take wickets, frustrate batsmen and play my role within the team.”
The 2019 campaign is Charlie McIntosh’s first senior country week.
The youngster said it was very nerve-racking stepping onto the field for the first time.
“I’ve played junior Country Week since under-13s – but this is my first senior country week,” he said.
“I was nervous to start with but as soon as I made a couple of runs I settled down and had some fun.”
McIntosh made 20 in the first match, 10 in the second but only managed one run in the match on Wednesday.
“On Wednesday I went in with only two overs left which I think threw me a little,” he said.
“All the other batsmen had made quite a few runs so the pressure was right off.
“As the week has gone on the nerves are settling and it has been easier and easier.”
RELATED: The Combine has Sungold Cup in sight
Grampians Cricket Association senior representative coordinator Peter Latham said the Grampians’ promotion into division two has provided a tough battle for the players.
“To lose our four premier players from last year has been hard to replace,” he said.
“But in saying that, it gives others opportunity especially the younger boys to step up to the challenge.
“We’ve seen it this week. Some guys have got 10s and 20s and others have got wickets.”
Latham said there were two missed opportunities in matches where the team should have won.
“The team has been competitive and two matches have gone right to the end, which is a positive,” he said.
“It’s difficult out there. It’s hot and can be taxing on the boys.
“To only play on Saturdays and then go out and play continuous cricket of 100 overs isn’t easy.”
While you’re with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox each Friday morning from the Stawell Times-News. To make sure you’re up-to-date with all the news from across the Northern Grampians shire, sign up here.