Greater Illawarra Zone to host Kingsgrove Cup double header

The side will take on St George and Newcastle and captain Kerrod White is looking forward to seeing improvement from last week’s trial loss to Sutherland.

“We’re a slightly different looking side to last week, with some big ins and big outs, but we’ll definitely be competitive,” White said. “We want to win at least one of those two games.

“We learnt a lot about game awareness and controlling the game. The way Sutherland batted to control the game, playing to the short boundary and making our bowlers bowl to what they wanted. It was exactly what we didn’t want to do, but it’s also hard to avoid against the best batsman in the world.”

The trial saw Steve Smith deliver a masterclass in building a Twenty20 innings. He attacked the short boundary while also seeking twos and threes on Dalton’s vast outfield. 

White is hoping his batsmen are able to replicate that strategy on Sunday.

“Steve and Jarryd Biviano exploited that long boundary and ran us off our feet. We will be targeting that strategy. It might be called Big Bash, but it’s not all about that. It’s the subtle touches that win Twenty20 games.” 

With Sunday’s matches the only two to be played in Wollongong, White recognises the importance of winning on home turf before the side is forced to hit the road.

“It makes it a bit harder knowing we’ll have to win away, so it’s extremely important to get a win against these top sides at home.”

Sunday November 4 10am: GREATER ILLAWARRA ZONE v ST GEORGE at North Dalton Park

2.30pm: GREATER ILLAWARRA ZONE v NEWCASTLE at North Dalton Park