Former Zimbabwe Under-19 wicketkeeper batsman Dane Schadendorf says that competition for places in Nottinghamshire’s Second XI batting has driven his recent success, after a run of three centuries in a week.
The wicketkeeper-batsman backed-up a Yorkshire Cricket Southern Premier League ton for Thickhill last weekend with back-to-back centuries as the Green and Golds completed a remarkable run-chase victory over Leicestershire at Lady Bay.
A fourth-innings run-chase of 382/5 completed quite the comeback for Paul Franks’ side, who had conceded 511/7 declared in the first innings.
Schadendorf’s 122-ball 133 at the second time of asking included 22 fours and three sixes and included a fearsome partnership of 181 with fellow centurion Sol Budinger, who cleared the ropes on six occasions during his 151 off 143.
“Conceding that many didn’t feel like the greatest start, but the pitch was flat so we knew we could get close enough to compete.
“After their second innings, we thought we had a pretty good shot at chasing 380, especially with Sol batting the way he does.
“We just said we would bat the way we normally do and see where it took us, then we ramped it up once it got close.
“There were times in the innings where I could just nudge a single and then stand at the other end and watch him go. Having him smacking it at the other end definitely helped.”
With Schadendorf’s current rich vein of form, batting at number three, Budinger is not the only Notts Second XI batter putting on a scintillating show.
Schadendorf, however, is far from resting on his laurels. He is determined that more heavy scoring is to come.
“Hopefully those centuries won’t be the last. It’s a case of not getting ahead of myself. I might have some runs behind me but I need to knuckle down to make it happen again.
“My mindset doesn’t change from one innings to the next. I aim to capitalise on the bad balls.
“But it’s a confidence thing. When you haven’t got many runs, you are a bit hesitant, but once you’ve got some behind you, you play a bit differently with some more intent.”
With Nottinghamshire’s Second XI having won two of their three four-day matches to date, Schadendorf believes that competition for places and a blend of youthful experiences are holding the key to success.
“The talent we have with the likes of Ben Martindale, Sammy King and the other Academy lads is great,” he said.
“The bowling attack is strong and we’ve really benefitted from having the experience of Jake Ball around.
“With a number of the batters in form as well, it all makes for people playing with confidence and a good atmosphere in the group.
“There is lots of competition in the batting order, people are moving up and down and that is always good, and you get rewarded for your runs in that sense.
“We know that individual performances create winning situations. The coaches are always talking about that.
“If everyone focuses on taking responsibility for their own games, the team will do well because of it.”
Schadendorf joined Nottinghamshire in December 2020 on a two year contract following his solid performances for Zimbabwe at the ICC Under-19 World Cup in South Africa.