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ON THE back of their unbeaten Twenty20 campaign, the Black Stars are keen to move into the longer form of the game.
This weekend marks the first round of the Mount Isa Cricket Association 40-over format, after two months of the shorter form.
Black Stars skipper Kyle Keighery said his team was excited.
“I think all the boys are looking forward to moving into the longer format of the game, following our grand final win last weekend,” he said.
“It’s great to start the season off with a trophy but that means nothing as we start the 40-over matches this week.
“We will be missing a couple of players this week, but that allows some of the guys that missed the final last week to come in and have a run.
“I have complete confidence that whoever is in our 11 on Saturday will do a job for us.”
To mark the start of the longer form of the game, Keighery has organised the team’s first training session this week.
“There has been a joke around the boys that we shouldn’t start training because we haven’t lost yet,” he said.
“But quite a few boys are keen for some extended time in the nets, to work on a couple of things.
“This should set us up well for Saturday, as I’m keen to see how some of the boys’ games translate into the longer form.
“It will be a stern test as Panthers always bring their best against us, and I’m expecting no different on Saturday.”
Panthers captain Luke Graefe also thinks the longer format will suit his team, who struggled to achieve consistent performances so far this year.
“It will be good for some of the boys to get some time in the middle and hopefully get some runs under their belts,” he said.
“The longer form allows you to get your eye in, while developing some rhythm with the ball.
“We welcome back Steve Andrews, Alex Amos and myself back into the squad, as well as batsman Brendon Parker.
“And if Archie Macpherson and Dom Clarke can get some runs on the board, it will put us in a strong position.”
■Bell and Moir Mount Isa Cricket Association draw:
Saturday – Townview vs Cavaliers (Sunset), Panthers vs Black Stars (Captain Cook).
Sunday – Western Bulls vs Challengers (Sunset).
*All games start at 11.30am.