PURNIM captain-coach Andrew Bridge says increased batting depth will help the Bulls surge up the Grassmere Cricket Association table this season.
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The experienced Warrnambool and District Cricket Association junior mentor has taken over the reins at Purnim for the 2014-15 summer.
Bridge said Merrivale’s Richard McKellar and Noorat’s Bernie Harris were key signings who would help bolster the Bulls’ batting line-up.
He said the experienced pair would give Purnim a strong chance to build on its fifth-place finish of last season.
“It’s a bonus — two extra batsmen,” Bridge said.
“Mainly the batting side of things let (Purnim) down last year.
“It was left up to too few.”
Bridge said Purnim had a solid bowling attack, labelling medium pacer Kristian Elliot a dark horse.
The chance to coach a good group with a mix of experience and youth appealed to Bridge.
“I live 50 metres from the ground so it sort of made sense,” he said.
“They asked if I was interested in coaching again.
“I have done it before and thought it would be another challenge at Purnim.”
Bridge said he wanted to give the Bulls’ young players sustained runs in the top grade this season.
He said he loved coaching WDCA junior Country Week teams and would use that knowledge to fast-track the Bulls’ next generation.
“You like to see them progress and improve as they go on,” he said.
“One of the reasons I am going to Purnim is because they have a few young kids as well.”
Purnim starts its season with a one-day fixture against last season’s runner-up Yambuk on October 11.