All-rounder Cam Valente vows to enjoy the ride as South Australia targets its first title in seven years
WHY Redbacks all-rounder Cam Valente vows to enjoy the ride as South Australia targets its first one-day domestic title in seven years this season.
LIMITED overs saviour one minute — in limbo the next — South Australian all-rounder Cam Valente is finally at peace with the game after a winter awakening.
Cricketers can be an insecure and superstitious bunch but Valente, 24, has resolved to enjoy a noble sport instead of fretting about the future.
“It is a bit of a mindset change,” said Valente, ahead of the Redbacks’ JLT season opener against New South Wales in Perth on Thursday.
“I am trying to be more positive about cricket. You sometimes forget how good we have got it, being grateful for what we have got rather than being nervous about what you potentially might not have at a stage in our career.
“That has been a big one for me, try to have more fun. For me it is just about backing up every year, being consistent.”
Valente has become integral to SA’s one-day balance, striking tons in each of the past two seasons for an average of 35 to back 23 wickets at 26 in 14 games.
However, four first-class matches over three seasons left Valente living on the edge — until now.
“We do a lot of things in regards to the mind and I thought about it seriously, took it upon myself, it makes life a whole lot more enjoyable,” Valente said.
Valente smoked two tons and a half-century during internal trials before leaving for Perth in a pointer to improved prowess with the willow.
“I would love to squeeze into the Shield side and bat at No.7. It makes it so much easier if you can do both things rather than compete with big fast bowlers,” said Valente.
“It’s knocking down the door in the Futures League and sliding in that way.”
Joe Mennie, Chadd Sayers, Kane Richardson, Daniel Worrall and leg-spinner Adam Zampa have represented Australia over the past two years underlining the competition for spots in SA’s line-up. Rapid and raw left-armer Spencer Johnson was chosen ahead of last season’s first-class revelation Nick Winter.
“That is the positive about our attack, a lot of variety. Richo, Frank and Spencer bowl pretty quick, Joe and myself through the middle and Zamps has proven he is a world class spinner,” said Valente.
“We have all facets covered.”
Jake Lehmann will lead South Australia with Travis Head on Test duty against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates. New Blues coach Phil Jaques must cover heavy duty quartet Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins. Steve Smith and David Warner are serving ball tampering bans
SA has reached two of the past three JLT Cup grand finals against New South Wales and Western Australia but confident of breakthrough success this campaign.
“This year there is a true belief in the list and depth we have and no reason why we can’t win it.,” said Valente.