On Friday, his skipper called on Ben Strachan to fire with the bat.
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Ben Knaggs flagged the Cougars’ “hot and cold” batting as costly in recent years and on Saturday that looked set to continue as their three openers – including Knaggs (14) – fell for just 48.
Enter Strachan and young gun Thomas Nelson, who piled on a whopping 194-run partnership to gift the Cougars a massive 4/242 total.
Strachan alone smashed ten fours and 13 sixes on his way to a whopping 153 in what was a comprehensive win over Macquarie at Victoria Park No. 3 Oval.
“It was just one of those days when everything hit the middle of the bat,” Strachan said.
“The pitch wasn’t actually doing much … it felt good to start the season off with a bang.”
Strachan wasn’t the only one.
Scottish youngster Callum Watson began his Dubbo cricket career in style by having a hand in both of Macquarie’s most crucial wickets.
His first ball saw Brock Larance catch out Ricky Medway (71), before Watson himself caught Dan Medway (37) on the boundary.
Then, a stunning hat-trick announced Bailey Edmunds’ arrival at the Cougars.
The former Newtown Tiger knocked over Harry Thistlethwaite (17), Luke Carmen (0) and Brayth Stevenson (0) in quick succession, the feat decimating Macquarie’s tail and with it any hope of a fight back.
“It was great to see actually,” Strachan said.
“He bowled really well late in the game. At the stage they only needed 70 off 10 overs with Jason Green and one of their young Englishmen at the crease.
“Brocky [Larance] knocked him [Green] over and Bailey came in and three quick wickets just completely changed the game in our favour.”
Watson was then instrumental in the run-out of Joseph Haylock to have Macquarie all out for 190.
The Blues were not without their big performers, with the Medway brothers making 108 runs between them while Edward Haylock scored 31.
The bowlers did well to constrain the Cougar’s openers with Burt Duncan seeing off Stuart Naden early (24) while Luke Carman claimed the crucial scalps of Brock Larance (5) and Ben Knaggs (14).
But the depth of CYMS’ batting line-up was on show as numbers four and five in the order almost single-single-handedly won the game.
Strachan gave credit to the “young Scottish lad” he brought back from his recent stint in Scotland, and pointed to a whole-of team effort.
“He had a big influence from his first ball,” Strachan said.
“But I think it was a really big team performance.
“We did speak earlier in the week that getting off to a good start to the season is crucial and the last few seasons we haven't, so to get off to a good start was great.
“Macquarie, having such dangerous batsmen as they do, it was good to come away with the points.”