Ben Knaggs knows something is building within Dubbo CYMS.
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Most of the RSL-Whitney Cup knows it, too.
For years now the young Cougars have been regarded by many within the Dubbo cricket community as a future powerhouse, with it’s core group likely to stick together for years to come.
In what shapes an incredibly open 2018/19 premiership race, Knaggs knows his Cougars have what it takes to have a real impact on the competition.
But he’s also too aware his side has to work for it and make it happen, starting this weekend.
After an opening round win over Macquarie, the Cougars reduced Rugby to 2/25 last weekend before the rain set in.
The two-day match resumes on Saturday and Knaggs is excited to see his confident group continue to enjoy its cricket.
“Everyone is up and they’ve got real belief in themselves,” the teenage captain said of his side.
“There’s something in the air and we’ve all been really looking forward to the season. We all love our cricket and we all get along.
“Everyone is getting to training and everyone is keeping their heads up. We dropped our heads at crucial times last season.”
Belief and confidence may not be an issue for CYMS but consistency and concentration is what Knaggs wants from his men this campaign.
With the likes of Brock Larance, Thomas Nelson, Ben Strachan, Stuart Naden and Tom Coady in the lineup, run-making ability is not an issue. With the ball there is also a huge amount of depth with Strachan, Knaggs and Bailey Edmunds leading a strong pace unit while Larance and Naden offer vastly different spin options.
Making the most of that talent is what Knaggs wants to see this summer, especially on Saturday against a Rugby side which is littered with experienced players.
“We’ve got a good start and hopefully the boys can fire and we can get through their battling lineup,” Knaggs said of Saturday.
“It’s definitely not going to be easy, there’s blokes like Nathan Munro and others there so we’ve got to really work, bowl and field well, and work to the plans.”
The skipper wants that same application in the run chase.
The Cougars showed the ability to push every side in the competition last season but fell short time and time again.
That’s something the side is now working to avoid as it chases a first finals appearance since 2012/13.
“Chasing runs has probably been a weak point for CYMS and we need to start well at the top and get one of that top four or five to go on and get a big score,” Knaggs said.
“In the last couple of years we haven’t done that but we’ve got the quality there and we’ve really got to dominate and make those 20s and 30s into 80s and hundreds.”
CYMS welcomes back Edmunds and Naden after they missed last week due to Orana Outlaws commitments while Jacob Hill is a big inclusion for Rugby after missing day one for the same reason.
Ben Wheeler (16no) and Aidan Bennewith (0no) will resume the run chase from 1pm at No. 2 Oval on Saturday.
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.
