Sharma and Schlaghecke show sounds warning to Warrnambool cricket rivals

He didn't disappoint.

Sharma collected career-best figures of 7-26 as a depleted Woodford steamrolled Dennington at Jack Keane Oval.

With Connor Richardson and Tyler Fowler both absent, Sharma ripped through the Dogs' middle order to sound a firm warning to Woodford's premiership rivals.

The 31-year-old told The Standard he was pleased with his individual effort but had already switched focus to Eels' remaining fixtures.

Medium-pacer Sharma returned to Warrnambool cricket this season after a seven-year hiatus. He burst onto the scene in 2012 at Dennington, before work commitments took over.

Sharma considered his career over - until Woodford coach John Houston came knocking. It's so far been a masterstroke.

The New Dehli native has claimed 17 wickets from just nine matches.

"I haven't played much cricket with the red ball. The Dennington game was actually my first with the red ball since I've been back," Sharma said.

"I've always enjoyed bowling with the red ball and I knew I had to make the most of my opportunity.

"The wicket was perfect, it couldn't have been any better for what I wanted. I bowled to a plan and (captain Nick Butters) told me to stick to my channels."

Sharma praised fellow bowler Hank Schlaghecke and revealed confidence was flowing as Woodford eyed more premiership success.

"I think batting-wise, we're quite strong and we have the right bowlers," he said.

"We have all the talent in the club. There's definitely not a lack of it.

"We have some young boys that have come in and guys like Hank have been playing for years now. We also have that experience there."

As for his fitness and bowling, Sharma has plans to keep improving.

The Harvey Norman employee, who is settled with wife Rhiarna and daughter Armani, is determined to make a difference in Woodford's flag push.

"I'm pretty happy with how I am bowling at the moment, but at the end of the day we still have a few games to go so I won't get my hopes up," he said.

"I just need to keep doing what I'm doing.

"Hooter (John Houston) has been doing our fitness drills at training and we're doing as much as we can to keep our fitness up.

"No one is perfect in that regard, we all need to keep improving."

Elsewhere, Merrivale tied with premiership favourite Brierly-Christ Church. Allansford jumped back on the winners' list, thumping Port Fairy, while Nestles crushed Wesley-CBC by more than 100 runs.

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