PREMIERSHIP captain Nick Butters believes a six-month stint on English turf has bolstered his form on home soil.
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The three-time Woodford grand final skipper blasted 112 on Saturday, pushing the Eels out to a season-best total of 251 on Saturday.
Butters said his cricket-based stint in United Kingdom, in which he plied his craft on the outskirts of Manchester, had eased his transition into the Australian summer.
“It’s certainly helped, particularly in those first few weeks back,” Butters told The Standard.
“The other guys you’re playing against are just coming out of footy so you’ve instantly got an advantage on them.
“It’s different though, because you’re playing on an unusual sort of turf over there and you’re coming back to play on hard wickets (in Twenty20 games). So there’s still adjusting to do.”
The other guys you’re playing against are just coming out of footy so you’ve instantly got an advantage on them.
- Nick Butters
Butters’ Woodford has blooded up-and-comers to its division one outfit as it works to cover the absence of several premiership players this season.
But with batsman Tom Batten returning a fortnight ago, Butters has faith the Eels could re-gain experience in Kory Howlett, Luke Wines and Will Verco after the festive period.
The 23-year-old, however, was relishing the test of leading a younger group.
“It’s been a nice change. Results haven’t fallen our way but I’ve enjoyed captaining those younger guys,” Butters said.
“Seeing them do quite well with the opportunity has been great. It’s been a good year in that sense.
“If we can get those experienced guys back in I think we’ll be really competitive.”