NEW Brierly-Christ Church captain-coach Leigh Pollard says the Bulls are committed to building stronger two-day form this season.
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Pollard, 33, has taken on the leadership reins at the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association club for the 2014-15 summer.
Preparing for his second season at the Bulls, the former Benalla skipper said the Hopkins conference side was better suited to the shorter forms of the game but was eager to improve its standing in two-day cricket — the competition’s most revered style.
“We need to become more patient and become a mentally tougher team,” Pollard said. “We are starting that at training.”
Pollard said he wanted to build on outgoing captain-coach Jason Greer’s hard work.
Greer will remain at the Bulls in a playing capacity — the spin bowler had a standout 2013-14 season, winning the bowling average award.
Pollard, a middle order bat, said the Bulls started pre-season training two months ago and had attracted strong numbers.
“We set high expectations at the start of the year as I guess all clubs would,” he said.
“At the moment it’s nil-all for all clubs but I think the foundations are there for a good year.
“We started really well last year. We were one of the form teams of the competition before Christmas and fell away after Christmas.”
Pollard captained his former club Benalla before joining Brierly-Christ Church last season when he moved to the south-west.
He said he felt ready to lead the Bulls after a year acquainting himself with the league.
“It (captaincy) is something I have always been interested in and I have always previously done,” he said.
“It’s a natural progression for me. It’s something I enjoy doing.”
The Bulls, who have lost promising all-rounder Mark Murphy to East Warrnambool-YCW, have picked up Horsham wicket-keeper Rowan Smith and Russells Creek batsman Bill Quinlivan.
Pollard expects opening bat Karan Patel to play a full season after work commitments limited his appearances in the 2013-14 campaign and believes Mitchell Reason is a player capable of stepping up to play a key role.
“Nathan Murphy is the number one bat in the competition,” he said.
“For us to become a better team we have to not rely on Nathan so much.
“Guys like Mitchell Reason, he’s been training hard and hasn’t missed a session so far.”
Pollard’s top score was 91 last season. He finished his WDCA debut year with three half centuries.
But he is determined to be more consistent this year. “I had an OK season last year but I have set my targets a lot higher this year,” he said.
“I will be batting middle order; batting myself at four or five.
“Myself and Nathan Murphy in the middle order will set the total up around ourselves and others will pitch in with 20s or 30s.”
Brierly-Christ Church plays Dennington in its opening round Twenty20 fixture on October 11.
The Bulls are in the Hopkins conference against Nirranda, Merrivale, Nestles and Dennington.
Reigning premier West Warrnambool, Wesley-CBC, East Warrnambool-YCW, Russells Creek, Woodford and Port Fairy make up the Merri conference.
Pollard, 33, has taken on the leadership reins at the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association club for the 2014-15 summer.
Preparing for his second season at the Bulls, the former Benalla skipper said the Hopkins conference side was better suited to the shorter forms of the game but was eager to improve its standing in two-day cricket — the competition’s most revered style.
“We need to become more patient and become a mentally tougher team,” Pollard said. “We are starting that at training.”
Pollard said he wanted to build on outgoing captain-coach Jason Greer’s hard work.
Greer will remain at the Bulls in a playing capacity — the spin bowler had a standout 2013-14 season, winning the bowling average award.
Pollard, a middle order bat, said the Bulls started pre-season training two months ago and had attracted strong numbers.
“We set high expectations at the start of the year as I guess all clubs would,” he said.
“At the moment it’s nil-all for all clubs but I think the foundations are there for a good year.
“We started really well last year. We were one of the form teams of the competition before Christmas and fell away after Christmas.”
Pollard captained his former club Benalla before joining Brierly-Christ Church last season when he moved to the south-west.
He said he felt ready to lead the Bulls after a year acquainting himself with the league.
“It (captaincy) is something I have always been interested in and I have always previously done,” he said.
“It’s a natural progression for me. It’s something I enjoy doing.”
The Bulls, who have lost promising all-rounder Mark Murphy to East Warrnambool-YCW, have picked up Horsham wicket-keeper Rowan Smith and Russells Creek batsman Bill Quinlivan.
Pollard expects opening bat Karan Patel to play a full season after work commitments limited his appearances in the 2013-14 campaign and believes Mitchell Reason is a player capable of stepping up to play a key role.
“Nathan Murphy is the number one bat in the competition,” he said.
“For us to become a better team we have to not rely on Nathan so much.
“Guys like Mitchell Reason, he’s been training hard and hasn’t missed a session so far.”
Pollard’s top score was 91 last season. He finished his WDCA debut year with three half centuries.
But he is determined to be more consistent this year. “I had an OK season last year but I have set my targets a lot higher this year,” he said.
“I will be batting middle order; batting myself at four or five.
“Myself and Nathan Murphy in the middle order will set the total up around ourselves and others will pitch in with 20s or 30s.”
Brierly-Christ Church plays Dennington in its opening round Twenty20 fixture on October 11.
The Bulls are in the Hopkins conference against Nirranda, Allansford, Merrivale, Nestles and Dennington.
Reigning premier West Warrnambool, Wesley-CBC, East Warrnambool-YCW, Russells Creek, Woodford and Port Fairy make up the Merri conference.
