Bulls sign one of their own for Twenty20 blockbusters

FIRED UP: Purnim skipper Ben Howarth is hopeful his team can make an impact in Twenty20 cricket. The Bulls have Woodford captain Nick Butters as a marquee player. Picture: Morgan Hancock

ONE OF Warrnambool cricket's most devastating batsmen is expected to help his childhood club shake off post-Christmas malaise.

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Purnim has pounced on a Grassmere Cricket Association ruling allowing marquee players for its Twenty20 round this weekend, signing Woodford skipper Nick Butters.

Butters, Warrnambool's Melbourne Country Week captain, grew up watching dad Gary in Purnim colours at Rodger Henderson Oval.

Bulls skipper Ben Howarth said Butters was a welcome addition but called for a team performance.

Purnim skipper Ben Howarth pictured at Rodger Henderson Oval on Thursday. Picture: Morgan Hancock

Purnim endured a tough start to the season - failing to register a win until round six - but revived its finals chances with two straight triumphs prior to Christmas.

"(Butters) was apparently very keen to come back and have a bash, and we were pretty happy to have him," he laughed.

"To have somebody who has played a lot of high-standard cricket is good for me as a captain but it's also good for everyone else to have someone of that talent around.

"With the marquee players, if they can give you a good start, that's excellent but everyone still has to stand up.

"If he went out and made 50 off three overs, that's great, but if that's all we do as a side for the innings, you're still not going to win matches.

"We're excited to have him but we're looking to perform and not just leave it on one person."

Howarth, a second-year captain, felt Purnim could make a mark in the short-form game.

"Last season, playing primarily two-dayers, I didn't know if we were necessarily equipped to the Twenty20 format," he said.

"This year, with one-dayers, it looks like it has suited us a bit more with our list the way it is.

"We have younger players who have grown up watching it." Purnim will face Wangoom and high-flying Panmure in a bid to advance to semi-final action on Sunday.

The semi finals and final are set for Killarney Recreation Reserve.

FIXTURES:

ROUND ONE

Hawkesdale versus Yambuk, Woolsthorpe Recreation Reserve, 11:30am on Saturday

Mailors Flat versus Killarney, Winslow Recreation Reserve, 11:30am on Saturday

Purnim versus Wangoom, Rodger Henderson Oval, 11:30am on Saturday

Grassmere versus Panmure, Peter McDonald Oval, 11:30am on Saturday

ROUND TWO

Killarney versus Yambuk, Woolsthorpe Recreation Reserve, 2:30pm on Saturday

Mailors Flat versus Hawkesdale, Winslow Recreation Reserve, 2:30pm on Saturday

Purnim versus Panmure, Roger Henderson Oval, 2:30pm on Saturday

Grassmere versus Wangoom, Roger Henderson Oval, 2:30pm on Saturday

FINALS

TBC, Killarney Recreation Reserve, 9:30am on Sunday

TBC, Killarney Recreation Reserve, 12:30pm on Sunday

TBC, Killarney Recreation Reserve, 3:30pm on Sunday

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