The pursuit of playing “the perfect game” has helped NSW make a dominant start to the National Indigenous Cricket Championships (NICC) at Alice Springs.
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The Blues – featuring Dubbo trio Brock Larance, Ben Patterson and Marty Jeffrey, won all four of their opening matches and enjoyed Thursday’s rest day knowing they sit 10 points clear at the top of the ladder.
With just two matches remaining before the final it seems a certainty NSW will be in the decider, and starting as a red-hot favourite, but Jeffrey said his side isn’t getting to carried away.
“We’ll keep doing what we do every game,” Jeffrey said.
“We want to play the perfect game every time we go out on the field.
“We’ve got to stick to our processes and do the best we can because funny things can happen up here, especially in Twenty20 cricket.”
Jeffrey, along with NICC debutant Larance and Patterson, have been standouts for the Blues so far.
The former RSL-Colts all-rounder, now plying his trade in Sydney, made a vital 62 not out for his side in the day two win Victoria while he sits joint third in the wicket-takers column with seven scalps.
The two he trails are his Dubbo teammates.
Larance leads the way with 11 wickets, he took 6/16 on day one, while Patterson sits second with eight wickets, his 5/15 on Tuesday a highlight.
Patterson is also averaging 34.5 at an incredible strikerate of 215 after some key performances in Wednesday’s two Twenty20 matches.
Jeffrey and Larance have often worked together in tandem during the middle overs, with the former’s leg-spin perfectly complementing the leg-spin of the latter.
“I’m feeling good. I’m batting in the middle order so I just look to come in during those middle and late overs and then I try and do a job with the ball,” Jeffrey said.
“It’s a good group and Brock has fit in really well. Patto has been performing again and everyone can hopefully keep doing that leading into finals.”
Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia currently round out the top four.
NSW plays Tasmania on Friday before taking on Western Australia. The Blues have a bye in the final round before Monday’s final.
“We’ve had four convincing wins and we’ve got two games left against sides we think we can beat so it’s looking good leading into finals,” Jeffrey said.
As well as being a high-quality cricket carnival, the NICC means plenty to all who are involved.
There is a major focus on culture and community and Jeffrey said it’s noticeable around his squad and a nother reason why the tight-knit bunch is playing such good cricket.
“It’s a great week and cricket-wise it’s great to be up here and learn a few things,” he said.
“But also culturally, it’s good to be with 12 other blokes who share the same cultural things you do so it is special.”