THE Isa Challengers started their Mount Isa cricket campaign in less than ideal circumstances last Sunday.
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The Challengers were comprehensively defeated by the Western Bulls, but have not lost their confidence.
Captain Naren Ramachandran says his boys will take positives from their first match in the Mount Isa Cricket Association, into their match against Black Stars.
“I think a lot of the boys were nervous to play their first games last week and it showed in the way they played,” Ramachandran said.
“We discussed tweaking the way we played last week by opening up more and playing our natural games.
“Now that the excitement around the first match has passed, I think the boys will work into their own grooves.”
The Challengers batting let them down last week, only managing a total of 60 runs at Sunset Oval.
“In the nets this week, we concentrated on practising our batting and technique at the crease,” Ramachandran said.
“With bowling being our strength, it is important that we give our bowlers such as Shaheed Anwar and Sandeep Meka a total that we can bowl towards.
“I’ll be counting on key batsmen Girlish Mahendranath and Kuldip Sodha to spend quality time in the middle this Saturday.”
The Mount Isa Cricket Association match has been moved to Captain Cook Oval on Saturday to cater for both the Black Stars and the Challengers.
“I think Captain Cook Oval could suit us better, as I know that the ball tends to come on to the bat a little quicker than at Sunset,” Ramachandran said.
“We are just excited to get back out there and hopefully correct some of the mistakes we made last Sunday.”
The Blacks Stars will be looking to build on their strong 59 run win against Panthers last Saturday.
Round Two of the Bell and Moir Mount Isa Cricket Association (all matches Saturday):
Western Bulls v Cavaliers – Sunset Oval 10am
Panthers v Townview – Sunset Oval 2pm
Challengers v Black Stars – Captain Cook Oval 10am
Mats: Challengers