Cricket – Season Preview : The Coach

April 24, 2019 11:17 pm

With the season just days away we have been catching up with the captains and coach of Murrayfield Dafs Cricket Club.

Coach, Neil Yelland, was on hand to answer a few questions.

First we asked what are the aims for the 1st team in the 2019 championship season?

“Ideally I’d like us to continue to make Roseburn a really difficult place to play. The championship is a tough division and we know that we need to win as many home games as possible in order to be competitive.
“Additionally I’m hoping that after a year where a lot of batsmen made starts, we can see at least a couple of tons and cash in on playing on some very good tracks.”

Neil thinks that Grange seconds will be the side to beat – “They have got exceptional depth and talent. However, this year in particular it looks like any side can win on a given day, so we need to make sure we’re switched on and focused for every game”.

In response to which games he was personally looking forward to ‘Home is where his heart is’ He said : “Any game at Roseburn. The fortress!

“For away games, I’m hoping to finally play at the Grange, as I’ve still never played a competitive game there – though I imagine my economy rate there will be about 12 an over.”

Looking at the club as a whole Neil was optimistic, saying : “We’ve got some good depth at the club and I’m looking forward to the seconds building on a strong close to the season. The thirds have got a tough ask having been promoted by proxy, but the juniors are a year older and several thirds players have made some huge gains over the winter, so I’m quietly confident of them being a difficult side to play.

“The key across the teams is to knuckle down more with the bat. Just a little more application and we’ve got the bowling to back it all up”.
“Also, try not to fall asleep in the bath at 4.00am the night before games. That’s vital!”
Next time we will speak with 3rd team captain, James Guttridge, as he looks at the 3rd team prospects.