Melbourne Renegades all-rounder Dan Christian says giving away four-day cricket at the end of last summer has helped him focus on honing his craft in the T20 arena.
Christian is one of the most successful exponents of T20 cricket having won six worldwide domestic T20 titles from 10 finals appearances and has made an immediate impact with the Renegades after joining from the Hobart Hurricanes for BBL|08.
“It’s been nice, I’ve really enjoyed the last six-to-eight months of just concentrating on T20,” Christian told SEN Afternoons.
“Just being able to work on my skills of batting in the middle and at the end which is what I’ve done a lot of, and then bowling wise just bowling my slower balls and my yorkers and just focus on that rather than just doing the four-day stuff.
“Mentally it’s been great and physically as well not having to stand out in the field for six hours and bowl 15-to-20 overs a day, it’s been fantastic, I’m really, really enjoying it.”
Download the new SEN app, for Apple or Android devices.
Already have the SEN app? Head to your iTunes App Store or Google Play Store to update.
A typically hard-hitting 25 not-out from Christian guided the Renegades to a six-wicket win over the Hurricanes to snap a three-game losing streak.
The early wickets of in-form openers Darcy Short and Matthew Wade were crucial in limiting the Hurricanes to 5/145 on what was an improved Marvel Stadium pitch.
“We probably thought it was a 165-170 kind of wicket,” Christian added.
“Those three wickets we took in that first six really slowed them down and went along way towards us winning that game.”
The Renegades’ next match is against the Brisbane Heat at the Gabba on Thursday night.