By ADEM SARICAOGLU
KEALBA Green Gully captain-coach Evan Long insists his Cougars are hungrier than ever to claim yet another Luscombe Shield title in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association.
With just one more two-dayer to come before the NWMCA finals series kicks off in March, the Cougars are at least guaranteed a top two finish.
Kealba has only lost three times in the summer to date, but the Cougars did manage to beat their main challenger to the Luscombe Shield crown, Pascoe Vale Central, in a two-dayer back in November.
Long said his side is timing its run nicely ahead of March.
“I’d like to think the hunger is still very high,” Long said.
“When it comes to finals in particular, the motivation to play well in big games will bring out the best in us and it has done before, so hopefully that will be the case again for this year.
“I think the boys are just really eager for the finals to start, to be honest.”
Long is nearing the completion of his first year at the helm after replacing Andrew Lambropolous as captain-coach at the start of the summer.
Since stepping down, Lambropolous has starred at opening bat, currently averaging 37.9 with three half-centuries to his name.
While he praised Lambropolous’ work with the bat, Long told Star the support he’s been getting from his more senior team-mates has been significant throughout his first season in charge.
“It’s a different challenge and it’s something that I’m enjoying – both captaining the side and wanting to get the best out of them,” Long said.
“I know there’s a lot of experience underneath me, so to speak, and I count on that a lot.
“Whether it’s the experience of Danny Viani or the experience of Andrew Lambropolous before me – I’m one of the youngest players and I’m the captain, so it’s a little bit of a different mix but I know the boys are behind me and we’re all striving for the same goals.”
The Cougars are in the middle of a two-week bye and will host Gladstone Park in the final round – due to begin Saturday week.
