WESTBURY CRICKET: CAPTAIN Joe Breet is facing a selection "nightmare" with competition for places hotting up as a South Africa-inspired Westbury continue to set the early promotion pace.
Saturday's 78-run win at Congresbury leaves Westbury top of the Bristol and North Somerset Division with three successive victories and has left Breet with a lot to think about.
South African youngster Jan de Preez replaced the unavailable Ben Whiting for his first team debut and impressed with an unbeaten 45 to help the visitors to finish on 245-6.
But with Whiting showing good form in previous matches, Breet is set to drop fellow countryman de Preez back to the second team in place of the more recognised first team batsman for tomorrow's home match against Pak Bristolians.
Breet said: "Jan came in and scored very well and did his job for us on Saturday. It is a shame but Ben will come back into the team for him tomorrow.
"We were lacking strength in depth in our batting line-up last season but now a lot of weight has been taken off my shoulders.
"It is very hard for me at the moment because everyone is scoring runs.
"Ben scored an important 28 the previous week and would not have been dropped had it not been for his prior engagement.
"Everyone keeps saying it is a good problem for me to have but I can't see the nice bit of it, it is a nightmare for me. Seriously though the extra competition has to be good for the team."
Westbury's only other change from the side that beat Hambrook in their last match was the return of Adam Goodman in place of Christian Knott.
After winning the toss, Westbury decided to bat first and South African openers Alex Hart (62) and Breet (40) made a sensational start by smashing the Congresbury all around the ground, the first 50 coming up in 33 minutes off 11 overs.
Congresbury made a breakthrough with the score at 89 when Breet played-on, but Goodman (18) helped maintain the pressure as he and Hart took the score to 123 before they were out in quick succession.
Congresbury then tried to bowl themselves back into the game but they were confronted by further brilliant South African batting as Proteas Liann Botes (51) and De Preez (45 not out) steered Westbury to a daunting 245-6.
In reply, Congresbury were put under pressure immediately by some tight bowling but openers Mike Fisher (29) and Mark Brooks, (330 attacked the bowling with some early success.
Breet then pulled a masterstroke by giving the ball to Steve Edwards who ripped through the middle and the tail end for a magnificent bowling spell of 5-20 off six overs, as the hosts were bowled out for 167.
Breet said: "It was a brilliant win. It was a big team effort and we are all delighted with how the season has started.
"The team spirit is amazing, It is like I said before, the hard work we put in before the season started is now starting to pay off."
Westbury entertain Pak Bristolians tomorrow.
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