Greer, a left-arm orthodox spinner, has taken 12 wickets at 3.75 to head the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association wickets tally after four rounds.

He is equal with Merrivale paceman Zashan Arshad, while Allansford skipper Kyall Timms and Port Fairy’s Stephen Dwyer have taken 10 wickets each.

The only bowler with a better average than Greer is West Warrnambool teen Ben Threlfall, who has taken nine wickets at 2.56.

Greer, 42, said he was pleased with his start to the campaign, having taken over the captaincy from Nathan Murphy during the off-season.

“The ball is coming out really well. I thought I bowled reasonably well in the Twenty20, I enjoy the challenge,” he said.

“Since we’ve got into the one-day games they’ve come out well. I’ve been helped by our opening bowlers, who have got plenty of early wickets.

“Rather than coming on when they’re 1-100, I’m coming on when they’re two or three for 40. They can’t afford to be too attacking when they lose early wickets.”

Greer, who took 19 wickets at 12.95 in division one last season, said he had not overhauled his approach to spin bowling.

The only change to his game is he is typically splitting his overs between two spells, instead of bowling nine consecutively.

Despite his success, Greer said he harboured no ambition to earn selection in the WDCA squad for Melbourne Country Week in February.

Allansford off-spinner Matt Brophy was the WDCA spin option at the Western Waves Festival of Cricket and Greer supported the decision.

“To be honest I think those days are past me. Broph is young and enthusiastic and really good in the field,” he said.

“The other spinner I faced on the weekend who is a good chance is (East Warrnambool-YCW’s) Tharanga Fernando.

“His bowling is underrated. He might not have the wickets but his bowling is tight.”

Brierly-Christ Church plays winless Russells Creek in the WDCA Hopkins conference at Jetty Flat today.

It is second and needs to win and for pacesetter Allansford to lose to Woodford at Allansford to qualify for the one-day final tomorrow. Greer said Creek’s 0-4 record “isn’t indicative of the talent in their team”, with Jayaweera “Bundy” Bandara due for runs.

He said qualifying for the one-day final — should results fall its way — would benefit his young side in the long run.

“Any time you get into a final it’s a bonus and good experience for the guys,” he said.

The remaining Hopkins conference fixture is between Merrivale and East Warrnambool-YCW at Merrivale. 

In the Merri conference, West Warrnambool hosts Nestles, Dennington meets Nirranda and Wesley-CBC plays Port Fairy.

afawkes@fairfaxmedia.com.au