Mortlake's new captain Tyler Schafer is enjoying his first-season as a full-time wicket-keeper.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Schafer, a talented opening batsman, admitted he took on the role because the team's other wicket-keeper couldn't be available every week and "no one else wanted to do it".
"I wanted someone doing it the whole time," he said.
The good-humoured Schafer said he dropped two catches on Saturday and was keen to keep improving.
"I like keeping, it's good to have something else to think about," he said.
He added it was a great place to be as captain because it was easy to see how his field was set up.
The 24-year-old hit 21 runs and took a catch in his team's win against Cobden on Saturday.
READ MORE:
Clinton Baker's 69 not out proved critical as the Cats posted 7-180 off 50 overs.
"He seems to be a rock in the middle (order)," Schafer said.
The Cats leader added Baker keeps the ball on the ground and has managed to get his team out of trouble on numerous occasions.
Cobden middle-order batsmen Johno Benallack (40) and Matthew Smalley-Harris (40 not out) put up a fight in their innings.
"It was a bit touch and go," Schafer said.
"With 10 overs to go they needed a run a ball."
The Cats skipper praised Brad Parsons (2-14) who claimed a couple of late wickets as Cobden fell 25 runs short of victory.
Mortlake had an even spread of contributors with the ball as youngster Jack Lehmann (2-7) and Todd Robertson (2-27) also picked up a couple of wickets.
"Everyone can bowl," Schafer said of his versatile team.
"If something is not working, we've got three other people we can throw the ball to."
The Cats have a mix of paceman and spinners.
Former captain Todd Lamont can bowl both leg and off-spin while Kyle McDonald is a leg-spinner.
Schafer has been impressed by the progress of the teenagers in his team - Lehmann and Lachie Higginson.
"He has really stepped up this year," Schafer said of Higginson.
The 18-year-old batted at number 7 and scored 26.
The Cats' next test is Bookaar, a side buoyed by its first win of the season against Heytesbury Rebels.
Schafer said he wanted his bowlers to remain patient and his top-order batsmen to build partnerships.
He added he valued having former skipper Lamont around to bounce ideas off.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.
