TACKING Point Public School have been in this position before.
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Their year 3-6 girls cricket team are two wins away from becoming the best in the state when they head to Campbelltown on December 4.
If they wish to progress to the final later that day, they will need to navigate their way past Lake Macquarie’s Eleebana Public School first.
Coach Xanthe Kerr was confident of another strong showing from the side who has a number of faces that have been in the team for several years.
“I’ve kept a few of the same girls from the team (from last year) so they’ve done well to get this far again,” Kerr said.
“The older girls in the team are mentoring the younger members of the squad as well as the new members as well.
“They know they’ve got a lot to learn and they’re happy to take that advice and use that feedback to improve.”
Kerr said the team had learned valuable lessons from last year and she feels they are better equipped through an improved knowledge of the game.
“The running (between wickets) has definitely improved,” she said.
“We’ve got girls retiring this year as opposed to last year and they’re also playing off no-balls.
“They didn’t realise they were able to do that (last year) so we’re getting two each ball instead of one.”
The team have focused on the strategy of the game and the results have been encouraging.
“I feel the girls know a lot more about cricket; they know how to play the game and they’re a lot more confident,” Kerr said.
Captain Alex Mavros will look to get the side off to a fast start at the top of the order as they aim to replicate their total of 160 in their last match.
She will also contribute with the ball.
“I’ve got a few more all-rounders this year,” Kerr said.
“We’ve got two new additions to the team that are very good with the bat and the ball; they both bowl third and fourth in the order and they’re my openers in the batting.”
The coach also admitted the Australian women’s twenty20 national team's success had provided the rare shining lights for the sport around the country.
Their success had provided the pathway for younger girls to aspire to.
“I think women’s cricket has done a lot for the country lately,” Kerr said.
“It’s sort of kept our love of cricket alive with everything that’s been going on, so it’s good to see the girls getting into it and getting the opportunities that they’ve been getting.”
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