Nulla have bolstered their squad ahead of the 2018-19 Premier League campaign and captain Ben Taylor claims the side is in a great position to contend for the title.
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Nulla have welcomed seven new players to their squad and six of the players came through the ranks at the Macleay club.
Taylor believes the added personnel will help his team perform at a higher level individually as they compete for spots in the line up each week.
“The boys are keen for the season to finally start, our team looks to be shaping up nicely,” Taylor told the Argus.
“Squad numbers are strong which should lend to a nice competition for spots.
“We have a bit of an influx of players for this season’s squd, seven players came in and six were old boys.
“The big game experience should really strengthen the team and that’s something we lacked last year, we were a bit green.”
Taylor identified two players who opposition teams should keep an eye on.
“It will be exciting to see Chris White and Liam Taylor back in the Macleay and on the cricket field against after some time away from the game,” Taylor said.
The two players are key inclusions for Nulla.
The Premier League season commences this Saturday, with Nulla hosting the Port City League Magpies in South Kempsey.
Despite finishing above them on the ladder last season, Taylor claims the Magpies will be the favourites heading into the contest.
“The Magpies belted us twice last year so we will go into round one as underdogs,” Taylor said.
“We will have to play attacking cricket by backing ourselves to beat them.”
In those games last season, Nulla struggled to produce an intimidating score as they set a total of only 117 runs in their first meeting.
The Magpies cruised in their run chase as they dropped only one wicket on their way to surpassing Nulla’s total in the 18th over.
In the second meeting, the Magpies posted a total of 244 off their 40 overs and Nulla fell well short as a batting collapse saw them only reach 112 runs off 23 overs.
However, the acquired players by Nulla has improved their batting depth, an area where Nulla struggled last season.
They were always threatening with the ball in their hands but struggled to post consistently high totals.
“Most of the additions are batsmen, an area we needed strengthening in last season,” Taylor said last month.
While Nulla start their season on Saturday, Rovers will be forced to wait another week as they have the bye for the opening round.
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