Published: Sep 23, 2015, 03:26 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 23, 2015, 03:26 PM (IST)
David Saker, the new Victorian Bushrangers cricket couch, admitted that his side that features 10 players with international experience will be under immense pressure during the upcoming one-day Matador Cup. The former English bowling coach also suggested that the Bushrangers have always under-performed in the domestic one-day tournament but he believes that this year it is going to be a different story because the squad has the likes of Mathew Wade, Aaron Finch, James Pattison and Peter Handscomb. The team recently underwent a training camp in Dargo, located 348 kilometres east of Melbourne, where the players were put through a “survival of the fittest” program with the coach very impressed with the attitude of the group. READ: Shane Watson urges Australian selectors to be patient with young cricketers
According to sbs.com.au, Saker said, “It’s a good squad. It puts a bit of pressure on you when you look at the experience in that team and some of the young, skillful players we’ve got in the group. We’ve probably under-performed in one-day cricket for a long time and I think it’s a really hungry group to prove a point. We believe we’ve got a side that can win it and that’s what we’re going for.”
Saker said Ian Holland who is the only uncapped player of the current Bushrangers squad deserved another chance. He had scored 724 runs at an average of 40.22 and claimed a season-high 52 wickets at 13.72 last season.
“His performances in club cricket were outstanding last year and he fits the mould as a player who can play multiple roles for us. His No.1 strength is his batting but he can also bowl with the new ball and in the middle and he’s also a really good fielder,” Saker said. READ: Hazlewood, Watson to feature in Matador One-Day Cup for New South Wales Blues
Victoria Bushrangers: Matthew Wade (c), Fawad Ahmed, Scott Boland, Dan Christian, Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, John Hastings, Ian Holland, Jon Holland, Clint McKay, James Pattinson, Rob Quiney, Marcus Stoinis, Cameron White.
