Illawarra coach Steve Davies says the absence of long-time skipper and NSW Country opener Graeme Batty for the NSW Country Championships means more players must contribute for Illawarra to win the Southern pool.
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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 Championships final.
Batty has been Illawarra's top player for several years but has headed to Sydney, leaving Illawarra to find 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.
Illawarra face Southern in Friday's opening match and have a dominant record against 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 Illawarra are vulnerable without Batty.
"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.
