KILLARNEY skipper Brayden Buchanan says a relaxed mindset and bowling pressure from his teammates are the catalysts for his red-hot form.
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Buchanan has taken 16 wickets in his past three Grassmere Cricket Association games – all since returning from a three-week break where he got married.
He grabbed 5-23 off a 19-over spell which included nine maidens as the Crabs dismantled Woolsthorpe for 94 on day one of their two-day clash on Saturday.
The haul came after he snared 5-21 against Hawkesdale and 6-56 against Grassmere.
Buchanan credited Killarney bowlers Oscar Sanderson, Stuart Hill and Liam Cole for his purple patch.
“They are putting the pressure on so I can get the wickets,” he said.
“They do the hard work so I can get the reward.”
Buchanan said the Crabs were a work in progress, particularly their middle order batting.
But he hopes the additions of Jeremy Sheehan and Jarrod Chatfield, who have both missed games due to work commitments, will bolster them. Killarney will resume at 2-15 next weekend.
“I am going alright and we are not – that’s the worst thing,” Buchanan said.
“We are bowling well and fielding well but our batting is letting us down.”
Buchanan said the Crabs’ finals chances were slipping from their grasp. He believes they have the ability but need to string complete performances together to sneak into the top four.
“We are sitting sixth, so we’ve got to win and get bonus points,” Buchanan said.
“We can’t afford to lose anymore games.”
A 90-run third-wicket stand helped Purnim post a defendable total against Hawkesdale. Grant Cameron (78) and Tom Smith (60) were integral to the Bulls’ 221.
Skipper Smith said Cameron was a mainstay at the crease.
“He’s been due a score and it was good to see him put an innings together,” he said.
Smith said the low playing numbers which have plagued the Bulls this season hit a new high on the weekend.
“As a club, we had 26 missing this week but we’re managing to throw sides together,” he said.
An 82 from Braden Hotker helped Grassmere to 9-212 against Wangoom, while Yambuk bowler Jamie Squires snared 5-59 against a Panmure side which posted 222.
They do the hard work so I can get the reward.
- Killarney captain Brayden Buchanan credits teammates for his success