SAM McCosh says if he can get just 5-10 per cent improvement from last year’s playing group, it will be a big step forward for Warrnambool and District cricket club Wesley-CBC.
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The Beavers’ opening batsman and last season’s vice-captain has been appointed co-coach at Walter Oval, alongside captain Joe Higgins.
The young playing group has shown glimpses of promise in recent seasons, but are now looking to start building their way back up the ladder.
They have not played finals for a decade – since they won the 2006-07 two-day premiership – but McCosh says there is talent enough in the group to begin the climb back up.
“I believe that we’ve got the players there and the ability in the team,” he said.
“Everyone has got the talent. We’ll definitely be looking to keep hold of everyone and hopefully we’ll get that 5-10 per cent improvement out of everyone from the list from last year.
“The goal will be for improvement across the board.”
McCosh, 25, said he and Higgins would be looking for some fresh talent to add to the Beavers’ depth, but said there were no glaring holes they needed to address in their list.
However, he pointed out the importance of a strong start to the season.
“We’ve got to hit the ground running,” McCosh said.
“We’ve been a bit slow the last couple of years. If we just hit the ground running from round one and put on a good performance, that’ll go a long way.”
Higgins will continue in his role as match-day captain for the Beavers.
Leading runs scorer Ryan McArdle will also step up in a leadership role, taking the batting at Thursday night trainings.
Wesley CBC president Jeff Gillies was confident Higgins and McCosh would slot seamlessly into the coaching role.
“The two coaches that are co-coaches are held in high regard by the playing group,” he said.
“Sometimes coaches within your club can be a difficult thing, trying to earn that respect, but these two, by their performances, have certainly gained the respect of the group.”
Higgins is an accomplished all-rounder who has won the Beavers’ cricketer-of-the-year award for the past three seasons. As well as his past leadership experience as Beavers’ captain, Higgins is spending the winter coaching Warrnambool and district league football team Deakin University.
Higgins hopes he can use this experience to help with leading the Beavers.
“Coaching the footy has helped with things like time management and getting organised,” Higgins said.
“We have a good group at Wesley-CBC that is capable of taking a step forward.”
