A JACKSON Coote inspired Western Zone started its campaign to the NSW Country Championships in perfect fashion on Saturday, scoring a three wicket win over Hawkesbury at Dubbo’s No.2 Oval.
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Coote, a former Western Zone representative who was included in the 16-man preliminary squad for 2014-15, snared four wickets in two blistering spells to help contain a strong Hawks unit to just 208.
The Orange speedster, renowned for his economy and unexpected pace, finished Hawks’ innings with the best figures of any Western bowler taking 4-32 off nine overs.
“Yeah I thought I bowled pretty well, I did my job anyway,” Coote said.
“One big thing was Hawkesbury have apparently been training for quite a while, whereas we’re all just finishing up winter sports. With a couple of boys out too, it was a big performance.”
Putting his best foot forward for eventual Zone selection, despite jagging four scalps Coote watched on as Dubbo wunderkind Ben Patterson took the first two of the day in Hawks’ Lachlan Eldridge (6) and Andrew Lowe (0).
Coote nabbed his first in Adam Graham (33), who was on his way to a seemingly big score before removing Arjun Nair (30), Shane Mott (2) and Luke Dempsey (4) in a stellar second spell.
Jacob McNaught (2-45) and Chris Boothroyd (2-22) were Western’s other wicket takers.
Needing just 36 overs to pass Hawks’ total, an admirable knock of 67 from Dubbo superstar Jordan Moran led the way for Western.
Parkes’ hard-hitter Anthony Heraghty (5) was dismissed early, bringing Moran to the crease. He and Orange’s Charles Litchfield (28), put together a handy 47-run partnership before the latter was dismissed.
Moran then joined with a rampant Mick Curtale, of Cowra, who scored a speedy 44 from just 24 balls before the former and Dubbo batsman Chris Morton (46) all but guaranteed the result.
Dubbo’s Jason Ryan (14 not out) and Coote (0 not out) finished the game off.
“Everyone dug in, and backed each other,” Coote said.
“It was a great start to the rep season, and even though Patty (Rosser) and (Josh) Toole were out we performed really well.
“When they come back the side will be stronger, but to be frank I think that side we put on the paddock could do very well at a championship if we click.
“It will be intriguing to see who eventually gets picked, hopefully I can be there.”