Illawarra face neighbours Southern Zone, Riverina and Western Zone in Griffith over three days from Friday  for the right to face Newcastle in the Country championship final.

  Batty has been Illawarra’s top player for several years but has headed to Sydney, leaving Illawarra to finding a new skipper and opening batsman.

  Keira’s NSW Country allrounder Jono Cook is the new skipper, with Davies  saying the  loss of Batty means every player must perform over the three games.

   ‘‘We have to find another way to be successful,’’ said Davies, who took over from Dean Merola who resigned as coach last week.

‘‘I’ll be looking to our two Country players (Jonathan) Cook and Dale Scifleet for a big contribution but you need every player to make a difference. You win as a team, not as one player or two.

‘‘The ebb and flow means some players do more than others but we need everyone striving for their best in every match.’’

 Illawarra’s batting depth includes a number of allrounders including Cook, James Fleming, Neel Honavar and Scifleet who can make runs in the middle or lower order.

  Illawarra lack a medium-fast spearhead and Davies said spinners Fleming, Cook and Xavier McDevitt will be relied upon to take plenty of wickets.

  ‘‘The spinners all bring something different but can take wickets and also bowl economically. The tracks at Griffith are likely to be slow and may turn a bit which should suit our slow bowlers.’’

   Illawarra face Southern in Friday’s  opening match and have a dominant record again our neighbouring zone, including a seven wicket win  last season when significantly Batty made an unbeaten 96 and combined with Scifleet (63 not out) in a stand of 160.

  Veteran Southern and South Coast spinner Scott Cox says without Batty, Illawarra are vulnerable.

  ‘‘They don’t look nearly as strong without him,’’ Cox said.

‘‘Graeme’s been a massive part of their success and I think we can capitalise on that. We’re capable of an upset.’’

 The Southern squad includes five South Coast players - Cox, Mick Perry, Tim Goodall, Lachlan Hall and Callum Debruin, with Perry in great form after smashing 180 for club side Kookas against Oak Flats last Saturday. 

  Last year Illawarra needed thrilling last over wins over Riverina and Western Zone to clinch the carnival and Davies says his side will be going all out to win the pool.

  ‘‘The bulk of the squad has been together a while now, playing in the Sydney T20 Cup and in other games as a team, so we think the preparation should pay off.’’

 Newcastle beat Illawarra in last year’s country final with Illawarra last winning the crown in 2011.

  Illawarra squad: Jono Cook (c), Dale Scifleet (vc), Adam Berwick, Mitch Calder, Shannon Crewdson, James Fleming, Neel Honavar, Mitch McCrea, Tom McDevitt, Xavier McDevitt, Taun Stanham, Olly Thompson, Rhys Voysey.

 Southern squad: Kieran Gray (Shoalhaven), Mick Perry (South Coast), Adam Blacka (South East), Tim Goodall (South Coast), Scott Cox (South Coast), Nathan Wright (capt, Goulburn Highlands), Ben Hamilton (Goulburn Highlands), Lachlan Hall (South Coast), Steve McNaught (Goulburn Highlands), Callum Debruyn (South Coast), Alex Debs (Goulburn Highlands), Harley Bell (Shoalhaven), Mathew Moxon (South East).

COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Southern Pool at Griffith

Day 1 - Friday 

Illawarra v Southern; Western Zone v Riverina

Day 2 - Saturday 

Illawarra v Riverina; Western v Southern

Day 3 - Sunday 

Illawarra v Western; Southern v Riverina

Winner to face Newcastle in Country final.