A DAMAGING opening partnership is proving fruitful for Warrnambool and District Cricket Association finals contender Port Fairy.
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Pirates coach Aaron Williams and boom recruit Kalon Wilkie have put on 89 and 150-run stands in their opening two twenty20 wins.
Williams has proven particularly dangerous, carving a quickfire 98 in Port Fairy’s nine-wicket win over West Warrnambool on Saturday.
Wilkie said he worked well alongside Williams.
“I am just ticking it over and giving Aaron the strike,” he said.
“He is the one hitting it out of the park.
“We bat similar so whoever is hitting them on the day, we work it around.”
Wilkie has belied a four-year break from the sport to make 36 and 48 runs in his first two visits to the crease.
The powerful all-rounder rejoined the Avery’s Paddock-based club for the 2015-16 summer after returning to the south-west following a stint in Darwin.
Wilkie is relishing the chance to play for the club he helped regain division one status four years ago.
“I am stoked. You don’t realise how much you miss it, “he said.
“Four years is a long time.”
Port Fairy is aiming for its first finals campaign since re-entering the top grade.
Wilkie said the signs were promising.
“We have probably got 12 or 13 new and older players back to the club as well (this season) so that helps and we had nearly 40 at training on Thursday night, so there is a good buzz,” he said.
“Building on depth was the main thing at the start of the year and bringing in a bit more professionalism and winning culture back to the club.
“We are pretty flexible as far as all formats really.
“We’re obviously targeting the two-day stuff but it’s a good chance to get the season rolling with the twenty20s.”
