Kurri Weston have the bowling to be a genuine finals contender but will need more runs to push for a top four finish in 2021-22, according to new skipper Sam Dalibozek.
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Dalibozek takes over the reins from Steve Abel who is stepping back on his commitments and playing with Wine Country in the Cessnock competition this season.
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"I think we are a really good chance of making the finals and pushing further, especially with our bowling attack," Dalibozek said.
"We are able to defend most totals, it's just if we can bat consistently well enough. Our bowling attack can win us a lot of games."
Kurri Weston will also be without all-rounder Ben Herring who is returning to play for Wallsend in the Newcastle competition.
On the positive the Warriors have enticed one of the Maitland competition's most promising young batsman in the form of opener Tallon Gear who scored his maiden century last season against Singleton in the John Bull Shield.
Gear, 18, opened or batted at No.3 for Tenambit Morpeth last season and had been heading to the Newcastle competition but decided to play with the Warriors instead.
The other major addition is spinner James Dunstan who joins the Warriors from South Tamworth in the Tamworth District Cricket comp.
Dalibozek said Gear was an important addition to the batting line-up at the top of the order and looked like he was ready to take another step in his development.
"I thought he had a fantastic debut year last year and hopefully he can improve on that again and he will be a really handy pick up," he said.
Dunstan bowls off-spin and will give the Warriors some extra variety to the line-up led led by Cameron Bates, Nic Neild, Jack Sylvester and Dalibozek.
"We have the bowling to defend most reasonable scores. Taking the wickets is not our issue and with Batesy, Nic Neild and Jack Sylvester still there we have an attack as good as any in the competition," Dalibozek said.
"Nic Neild in particular has been looking really good. It looks like he has taken it to another level again this year.
"From what I can see in the nets it looks like he has gained another yard in pace."
The Warriors will be hoping new coach Grant Solway, who comes across from success at Wallsend, will help the batting line-up find some consistency.
"If we can find some consistency with our batting I think we will go really well," Dalibozek said.
"We give away wickets too often and need to work on building partnerships as we tend to lose wickets in clumps as well.
"it's going take work from all of us.
"I expect a lot of runs from Liam Neild this season. He has been training really well and he is one of guys that we will need runs from."
Kurri Weston play South Tamworth in a trial at Kurri Central on October 30.