Who: Queanbeyan v Eastlake

Where: Kingston Oval

When: Saturday, 11am

QUEANBEYAN batsman Lakshmn Shivakumar says the club has regrouped from its embarrassing outright defeat at the hands of arch-rivals Tuggeranong in the opening round of the two-day season.

After being dismissed for just 77 in their second innings against Tuggeranong earlier this month, Queanbeyan showed plenty of spirit to finish off a first-innings victory against Weston Creek last Saturday.

The win was an important morale boost for the side which has become unaccustomed to defeat in recent seasons.

“I think we bounced back pretty well from the Tuggeranong game,” Shivakumar said. “We had two bad days but we worked on things over the week leading into Weston Creek and got our preparation right.

“[Captain] Aaron [Ayre] just spoke to us about the fact that we all had to lift and that we have the potential to do well this year, we just have to back ourselves to do it.”

This weekend will see the Bluebags take on Eastlake in the first day of their round three clash at Kingston Oval.

Shivakumar meanwhile, said he had adjusted well so far after stepping into Queanbeyan’s regular first-grade line-up this season.

The classy left-hander was given limited opportunities last year but is one of a number of club juniors to have taken their opportunity following the offseason departures of some of the club’s biggest names.

Shivakumar is the club’s second leading run scorer in first grade so far this season having notched up 143 runs at 35.75. Only Ayre, who has been in prolific form, has scored more. 

“I think I’ve been going alright,” Shivakumar said. “It’s mostly about confidence, if you’re confident in what you’re doing you can go out and play your natural game.

“It’s still a work in progress for me but at the beginning of the season I was pretty nervous and now I’m handling it better.”