CITY captain Stephen Butler pulled no punches in his assessment of his side’s two losses to start the cricket season.
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“We only have ourselves to blame,” he said.
The joint defending premiers went down to Hillgrove in the opening round, before only fielding 10 players against Easts last weekend.
One of those players had to leave for work at 3pm, leaving City with just nine to finish the match, and even then they fell just short against a red-hot Easts side.
Easts made 9-194 batting first after a tremendous knock of 74 by opener Dean Moore.
Butler (53) took things into his own hands and decided to open the batting for City in reply.
After being 5-165, City lost three quick wickets to be bowled out for 188, leaving themselves just seven runs short of victory.
“Having to bat with nine made it tough,” Butler said.
Tomorrow they will be searching for their first victory of the season against an also winless Ex-Services side at Lambert Park.
They will have a full squad of troops available, with batsman Cameron Mundy to make his season debut.
“We need to show we are serious,” Butler said.
“Servies are zero and two as well so they will be desperate for their first win too.
“But I have told our blokes not to panic just yet.
“We just need to put the first two weeks behind us.
“I’m still confident the side we have is pretty strong.”
Whether batting or bowling first, Butler said his side needs to start strongly.
“I want us to take 10 wickets if we bowl first or bat out the full 45 if we bat first.”
Bowling is where City’s strength lies this season, but their batting stocks are battling to recover from the loss of Andrew Brownlie.
“We have great depth in our bowling,” Butler said.
“Our batting is a little unstable.
“Losing Andrew Brownlie was massive.
“But Cam Mundy and Kyle Taylor will be great additions for our side.”