The reigning premier sits on top of the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association (WDCA) ladder and will go into day two of its game against Wesley-CBC defending a score of 207.

Elford, who topped scored with 49, said the fact captain and the WDCA’s premier batsman Cameron Williams only made seven, was a positive for his team.

“It does fuel me and I think the other guys as well when people think we are just the Cameron Williams show with the bat,” Elford said.

“Cam is such a great player and we all get inspired watching him play.

“But I think we have really good depth in our batting, blokes coming in at nine, 10, 11 can all play.

“We just need to be more consistent. Our top order is starting to do that which is important because we are coming into the crucial stage of the season.” 

Elford, 22, is in his third season with Russells Creek, having previously played in Portland and Geelong. While he shone with the bat last week, he rates his bowling higher.

“I am a bowler who bats a bit, I do lack some concentration at times at the batting crease,” he said.

Elford has been selected in the WDCA country week squad and is hopeful of making the final cut.

“I’ve played the last two years and it’s such a fun week, you learn much,” he said.