COBDEN paceman Matt Ross-Watson can put his blazing start to the South West Cricket season down to several factors.
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Among the more surprising is that he’s not opening the bowling. Ross-Watson has found a niche at first change and prefers using a roughed-up ball.
The 24-year-old is the form bowler in South West Cricket with 22 scalps, including five-wicket hauls against Simpson twice and Pomborneit.
But more impressive than the tally is his strike rate, one wicket every 12.18 deliveries, and his average, an astounding 6.91.
“One of the things that has changed this year is I haven’t been taking the new ball. I’ve been coming on first change. That’s probably helped a lot,” he said. “Once the ball has got a tiny bit older, it’s still pretty new but you pick your side and there’s a lot more swing.”
He did enjoy taking the new ball last season “but if you’re getting wickets you’re happy. It really doesn’t worry me at all where I bowl”.
“I’d prefer the younger lads coming through (take the new ball). It’s a good learning curve for them.”
Ross-Watson said commiting to cutting his alcohol intake on Friday nights had also been central to his form. He is fitter than he has been in years.
“I’ve probably done that the last three years and never followed through. Definitely this year I did say to myself I want to have a fair crack,” he said.
Cobden has been one of the surprise packets this SWC season, rising to third after seven rounds with three wins, two losses and two draws. Its round-eight away clash against second-ranked Terang is evenly balanced.
Terang is 3-36 in pursuit of Cobden’s 130. Jay Wynd (seven not out) and Tim Keane (two not out) are at the crease.
“We got a few wickets early, which was good, put the pressure right on them,” Ross-Watson said. “There were a few lads sitting in the sheds who weren’t that keen to come out and bat (last week). It could go either way.
“The pitch at Terang, you always get a lot of movement with the ball and it’s very good to bat on, too. There’s good, consistent bounce.
In other matches, Noorat is 2-54 in pursuit of Pomborneit’s 207 at Noorat Recreation Reserve.
Bookaar played out three maidens last Saturday and will resume at 0-0 chasing Heytesbury Rebels’ 283 at Camperdown Showgrounds.
And unbeaten flag favourite Mortlake needs nine wickets to defeat Simpson at Simpson Recreation Reserve.
The Cats posted 309, with the Tigers 1-12 in reply.