RUN-SCORING is notoriously hard work in Warrnambool's maritime climate.
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But it doesn't mean the region is deprived of batting talent.
Warrnambool can lay claim to some of country Victoria's best batsmen - and that's not clutching at straws.
Warrnambool is blessed to be able to claim some of country Victoria's best batsmen - and that's not clutching at straws.
What makes the perfect batsman?
Is it an ability to build an innings when others are struggling? Is it the ability to take the game away from a bowling side in a matter of overs?
Warrnambool has them all. The Standard has ranked the top run-scorers of the last decade to celebrate the talent throughout the south-west region.
NATHAN MURPHY (Brierly-Christ Church)
TOTAL RUNS (2009-2019): 5256
CAREER AVERAGE: 29.85
HIGH SCORE: 166 not out
SUMMARY: Murphy has carved a decorated 16-year division one career and remains one of the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association's most dominant batsmen. The schoolteacher, Warrnambool Melbourne Country Week captain as recently as two years ago, produced a stunning 166-run haul against East Warrnambool in 2017 and is showing no signs of slowing down.
Murphy has an impressive 155 runs from four matches this season and is part of a damaging opening partnership with long-term Greenvale-North Melbourne coach Matthew Love.
NICK BUTTERS (WOODFORD)
TOTAL RUNS: 5056
CAREER AVERAGE: 34.53
HIGH SCORE: 244
SUMMARY: The 25-year-old is one of the best batsmen is country Victoria at his best. Butters, known for his aggressive style, will never die wondering. He blasted an unbeaten 109 in his first match of the campaign against Wesley-CBC and is second for runs this decade despite his young age.
Was touted as a Melbourne Country Week skipper by coach John Houston before taking the job last season and should comfortably retain the role this time out.
CAM WILLIAMS (RUSSELLS CREEK)
TOTAL RUNS: 4480
CAREER AVERAGE: 35.12
HIGH SCORE: 150
SUMMARY: A dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman who lead Russells Creek to its first-ever division one premiership in 2018. Similar to Butters, Williams is fearless with the bat and can rip apart a game in minutes. Now a distinguished leader and multiple premiership-winning skipper who will more than likely add more flags to his collection before calling time on his career.
Williams' wicketkeeping prowess - he's recognised as Warrnambool's best - also has him well-positioned for Victoria Country selection.
MARK MURPHY (BRIERLY-CHRIST CHURCH)
TOTAL RUNS: 4377
CAREER AVERAGE: 36.09
HIGH SCORE: 111
SUMMARY: There's an argument to suggest Murphy is perhaps the most dangerous all-round cricketer in the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association. The all-rounder, who can bat, bowl and field, is another aggressive top-order bat who strikes fear into bowlers across the association.
Murphy switched to coach East Warrnambool for three seasons - managing 1624 runs - and is now back at Brierly leading from the front. Blasted 91 last week and is hoping to help the Bulls to their first-ever division one two-day flag after falling just short of Russells Creek last season.
ALASTAIR TEMPLETON (WEST WARRNAMBOOL)
TOTAL RUNS: 4241
CAREER AVERAGE: 29.5
HIGH SCORE: 124
SUMMARY: Templeton is one of the more dedicated and professional players in the association and has reaped the rewards in recent seasons. Lives and breathes cricket and has a strong attention to detail in his coaching and captaincy. While Ben Threlfall has been the strike batsman so far this season, Templeton remains an ever-reliable option at the top of the order and will undoubtedly be the Panthers' next premiership captain.
Can make runs but is also enough of an accumulator to craft a patient innings - his 124-run haul in West Warrnambool's semi-final loss to Russells Creek in 2018 is a ringing endorsement of that trait.
AARON WILLIAMS (PORT FAIRY)
TOTAL RUNS: 4004
CAREER AVERAGE: 27.47
HIGH SCORE: 171
SUMMARY: The trend of aggressive batsmen continues with Williams the sixth-highest run-scorer of the decade. His best is lethal and can kill off a game in minutes - and that's why he's been a Melbourne Country Week regular for years. Williams' top score is a reflection of how good he can be.
The Port Fairy star returned to West Warrnambool to blast 171 from 208 balls to lift the Pirates to a big win over his former club in 2016.
Has taken a back seat after years in captaincy and leadership positions and will be hoping to reap rewards in the mid-to-back part of the season.
GEOFF WILLIAMS (NESTLES)
TOTAL RUNS: 3826
CAREER AVERAGE: 23.40
HIGH SCORE: 109
SUMMARY: Edged back towards his best last season, nearing 400 runs. Williams is an ever-reliable option in Factory's top order and has spoken of the "weight off his shoulders" that coach Alex Strauch has lifted this season.
Williams and Nestles will be hopeful he can capture his best form, which he produced with an 80-run haul last week. Capable of making a big score and Nestles will find when 'Wizz' fires, it fires.
JOSH STAPLETON (MERRIVALE)
TOTAL RUNS: 3390
CAREER AVERAGE: 21.36
HIGH SCORE: 180
SUMMARY: A reliable 300-run a season player, Stapleton is part of Merrivale's heart and soul. Has threatened the 400-run mark three times in the last five seasons but just hasn't been able to crack through. His longevity - Stapleton has been playing division one since 2006 - should be celebrated.
Has enjoyed a solid career and partners perfectly with co-coach Jeremy Burgess in the Tigers' top-order.
BEN THRELFALL (WEST WARRNAMBOOL)
TOTAL RUNS: 3167
CAREER AVERAGE: 31.96
HIGH SCORE: 119 not out
SUMMARY: Threlfall's record is remarkable in that he has only been playing division one since late 2012. The mega-talented batsman - who already has 213 runs from just four games - has already almost surpassed his total runs from last season.
Threlfall's form is key in West Warrnambool's flag push.
DUSTIN DREW (DENNINGTON)
TOTAL RUNS: 3130
CAREER AVERAGE: 23.58
HIGH SCORE: 123
SUMMARY: Peaked around the turn of the decade and has suffered injury problems in the last few seasons, but can still pack a very strong punch. Showed signs of his best last season, managing a very handy 329 runs, but has only suited up once this season to date.
JEREMY BURGESS (MERRIVALE)
TOTAL RUNS: 3128
CAREER AVERAGE: 22.60
HIGH SCORE: 127
SUMMARY: Great character for the association and a quality batsman at his best. Has enjoyed more consistency over previous seasons which resulted in a Melbourne Country Week call-up. His name will undoubtedly be in the mix again this year.
Last season was his best-ever year with the bat - yielding 554 runs - and the Tigers co-coach will be looking to notch another 500-run plus campaign as Merrivale fights to become a genuine finals contender yet again.
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