General News
4 December, 2020
Middle order ignites Pelicans win
BOOKAAR skipper Tim Fitzgerald is hoping his middle order grows in confidence after it set up a big victory for the Pelicans last weekend.
BOOKAAR skipper Tim Fitzgerald is hoping his middle order grows in confidence after it set up a big victory for the Pelicans last weekend.
Led by Paddy Baker (68) and Charlie Lucas (31), Bookaar recorded a 105 run win over Camperdown at S.A. Wright Oval.
The Pelicans posted 9/202 from its 50 overs, before dismissing Camperdown for 97 in reply.
Fitzgerald praised Baker and Lucas for their efforts, after the Pelicans found themselves in early trouble.
“We were 5 for 87 at one stage so we were in a bit of trouble but our middle order stood up which we’ve been wanting to happen for a while,” he said.
“We’ve just needed them to get confidence behind them, which they did, and they stood up this week with Paddy making 68 and Charlie making 31.
“Charlie has been batting well all year posting 20s and 30s but for us to post 200 on our first hit on the turf for the year I was very happy.”
The win lifted Bookaar into fourth on the ladder, and spiked the Pelicans confidence’ ahead of a crucial stretch of games according to the skipper.
They start with Cobden, before they take on top three sides Noorat and Heytesbury Rebels to finish 2020.
“It does (boost the confidence) because if we can beat Cobden then we can get away from the bottom four,” Fitzgerald said.
“If we lose we let Pombo back into the four and we’ll be back with the pack so it’s a good chance to put some daylight between us and the bottom four because the top three are starting to get away.
“It’s a big game this one and it’s a good opportunity for us to set up our season. It’s really another game we should be winning if we want to play finals.
“It’s on turf again so we just need to take confidence out of the Camperdown game but it’s a must-win game for us.”
Fitzgerald said his side would be wary of a Cobden outfit posting high scores, but would ultimately seek a collective performance to do so.
“They’ve been posting some pretty good scores but I think they’re a better batting side than they are bowling side – last year we made 200 against them and they chased it down,” he said.
“They’re a game below us on the ladder and making good scores but we just need to stick to our guns and get everyone firing.
“One week we have bowlers firing, the next we have our batters so if we can get everyone firing together we could really take it up to the top sides.
“Hopefully this week we can do that and post a big one and stay in touch with the top three.”