Sometimes you've just got to lead by example.
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And that's exactly what Merrivale captain Jeremy Burgess did on Saturday to give his side a fighting chance of upsetting top side Russells Creek and sneaking into the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association finals.
A small cheer came up from the Merrivale huddle when Burgess won the toss and chose to bat.
But there was more reason to celebrate when the 37-year-old smashed 13 boundaries and made 77 runs after spending more than three and a half hours on the pitch in blistering heat, with the mercury hitting a top of 39.6 degrees.
"We were down at Jetty Flat so there a little breeze, but it was still bloody hot out there," Burgess said on Saturday.
The captain was well supported by his wicketkeeper Wil Fleming, who made 50 runs, and Sean Fary, who made 49 runs batting at number nine.
"I couldn't have asked for more from the team today," Burgess said.
"Scoring runs isn't usually a problem for us, but we were talking before the game about how important it was to bat out the 80 overs."
Off-spinner Joe Kenna was the pick of the bowlers for Russells Creek, taking 4-68 off his 25 overs, including seven maidens, while Burgess said Shashan Silva was also impressive.
But with the job "only half-done", Burgess said early wickets would be crucial next Saturday.
"If we can break into them, you just never know," he said.
"They bat right down to 11, so we'll need to work hard and bowl to our plan.
"But we've got the no-fear approach. We're going in guns-blazing, because if we lose nothing happens, whereas a win puts us into finals contention."
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