The team might have been vastly different on Sunday but it was the same kind of dominant performance many have grown accustomed to from Dubbo representative sides in recent times.
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The opening round of the Western Zone Premier League threw up a rematch of last season’s grand final, with Dubbo and Bathurst meeting for the first time since a thrilling tie in March’s decider.
Just five of the Dubbo players who figured in that match featured on Sunday. The much-changed lineup delivered though, a brilliant performance with the ball setting up a convincing four-wicket victory.
Marty Jeffrey, speaking after his first match as Dubbo captain, was delighted with the performance from a Dubbo side packed with power.
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The bowling effort was the most impressive aspect. Jeffrey said it was clear everyone bought into the message he gave pre-match as Bathurst was rolled for just 112.
“It was a near-perfect performance from the bowling group,” he said.
“We spoke about how we’ve got a lot of bowlers and about nine of us play critical roles with the ball at club level. Some blokes might not get the same opportunities but that’s the way it is at representative level.
“When you get a chance you’ve got to take it and everyone executed really well.”
Ben Strachan (1/16 off 10) and Tom Atlee (2/23 off seven) set the tone with the new ball while Ben Patterson (1/14) and Tim Smith (3/27) didn’t allow the pressure to ease on the Bathurst lineup when they got a chance.
Brock Larance (1/13) and Mat Skinner (1/4) chimed in late as Bathurst managed to just get past triple figures.
In a show of Dubbo’s strength, Jeffrey bowled just one over while Ben Knaggs and Stuart Naden weren’t needed at all.
Adam Ryan top-scored with 27 for the hosts.
There was a few wobbles in the run chase but Dubbo were never in any real danger of losing the match at the Scots ground.
Patterson (46) and Corey McDean (27) were the best with the bat while Naden (8 not out) and Knaggs (6 not out) toughed it out to get their side home in the four-wicket win.
“I was really happy with how we finished (with the ball). We didn’t take the foot off the throat,” Jeffrey said.
“I think if it had gone the other way (and we had lost) it would have been easy to point the finger and say ‘why didn’t this guy bat?’ or ‘why didn’t this guy bowl?’ but it all worked well and people know understand how it is.”
Jeffrey said his top order could have shown a little “more respect” early on in the chase but added there was little to be disappointed about.
“If we can get that right it’s going to be a really hard team to beat,” he said.
“We’re a new side and we’ve made a really big statement in the first round against Bathurst. To have a young side and do that to such an experienced Bathurst side is a big statement.”
Bathurst captain Jameel Qureshi had spoken about the need to avoid a “sluggish” in the lead-up to the game but was left dejected by some of the efforts from his batsmen.
“There was some pretty ordinary batting. There was a little bit in the wicket, but both teams batted on it. It’s early in the season and we just weren’t focused enough,” he said.
“When you make a mistake with the bat you’re out and you can’t go again. When you make a mistake with the ball you get to bowl again.
“There’s still positives to take away from it even though we didn’t play our best cricket. A few blokes got starts but just didn’t go on with them.”
Dubbo will next welcome Orange to No. 1 Oval on November 18 while Bathurst takes on Parkes that day.
“We’ve been notoriously slow starters so we have to do something to try and fix that,” Qureshi said.
“I’m not too worried about what Dubbo did today. I still feel that there’s positives for us to take out of it.”
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
