ORANGE CITY
- SQUAD: Tom Romer (in).
- GOAL: To go back-to-back.
- TEAM TO BEAT: Cavaliers and City Colts.
- CWD SAYS: Consistency means everything in cricket. Think Glenn McGrath-like line-and-length and that odd but Steve Smith ritual every time he's at the crease. Cricketers thrive off consistency. And Orange City has been just that for about two decades in Orange cricket. The Warriors will again be at the pointy end of the BOIDC ladder. The only question is will other sides be able to go with them in 2020-21?
- PREDICTED FINISH: Second.
WE MUST IMPROVE: MORRISH IMPLORES WARRIORS TO RISE TO CHALLENGE
They're the benchmark side in the Bathurst Orange Inter-District Cricket competition but that doesn't mean Orange City isn't coming into the summer with a point to prove.
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Ed Morrish's men are fresh off a somewhat anti-climatic premiership win following the cancellation of the rest of the 2019-20 summer following the COVID-19 break-out in March, and the nature of that victory has naturally called the legitimacy of City's most recent title triumph into question.
Morrish admits he doesn't pay too much attention to that sort of noise but added the goal for his men in 2020-21 is simple - win at all costs.
The all-rounder knows his side has the roster to put together a strong regular season but for him it's about being more consistent and more ruthless during matches.
"There's a lot more improving for us to do," he said.
"We tend to fade in and out of games and we can definitely work on that."
Most perennial title contenders don't deal with too much player turnover year after year and that's the case with the premiers this season. Most of the title-winning side from last year is set to stick around.
- READ MORE: BOIDC SEASON PREVIEWS | Centrals, Orange
Not only will that core group stay put, Morrish has reeled in Tom Romer too. The Sydney boy originally headed to Orange to play rugby league for Hawks and is set to try his hand on the pitch for City.
"He [Romer] looks pretty good ... he's a bit of an all-rounder," he said.
"We've also got some young blokes who are really going to benefit from another year in first grade.
"I'm expecting big seasons from Harry McGregor and Blake Weymouth.
Most of their top six play zone cricket and the addition of one-day play will really bring them into the fold.
- City skipper Ed Morrish on rivals City Colts ahead of the new summer
"Blake's been banging 100s in first grade since he was 15."
Morrish is obviously very familiar with the makeup of the BOIDC competition and circled two sides he thinks will really test City this year, starting with an obvious one.
"Cavaliers, obviously," he said.
"They're a very good team and they added Hugh Britton to their side who's a very good opening bowler.
"They'll come with the same line-up and the same attitude. They're very tough to play."
Second on Morrish's scouting report is City Colts as the 28-year-old thinks they've got just about the best side in the competition.
"The team they've got is ridiculous," he said.
"Most of their top six play zone cricket and the addition of one-day play will really bring them into the fold."
The opening round of the 2020-21 BOIDC first grade competition is scheduled for Saturday, with City set to take on Orange rivals CYMS at Wade Park.
The opening round of the new summer is a one-day cricket, with games at Riawena and Country Club ovals as well. Play is scheduled to start at 1pm for all games.
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Jake Humphreys
Sports nut at the Central Western Daily.
Sports nut at the Central Western Daily.
