The ACT Meteors pride themselves on being able to rise above adversity. So much so that a mid-season coaching change barely caused a flutter for Katie Mack.
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But Meteors opening batter and leadership group member Mack is expecting a smooth transition with the WNCL on a six-week break before the ACT resume their bid to end the NSW Breakers' stranglehold on the title.
The ACT will have the perfect chance to get Drew's time in charge off to a dream start when they host Victoria and the Western Fury in their own backyard at Manuka Oval from November 9.
"I think it will go great, one thing we’ve all worked on it being able to adapt to adversity and being our own players and our own team, and small changes don’t affect us," Mack said.
"Obviously it will be disappointing not having James there as head coach but I think everyone will take on Drewy, and Drewy will take us on pretty well.
"[They are] fairly similar, as similar as you can get, but also quite different. I think they will coach pretty similarly, which is nice to be able to keep the pattern going.
"I think Drewy will add a few things James didn’t, and we’ll also lose a few things James did and Drewy doesn’t, so I guess we’ll find out really."
All seven teams walked away from the opening round with one win and one loss, although bonus points have pushed NSW (six points) and Victoria (five) to the top of the table.
The Meteors sit fourth, level on points with Queensland, Western Fury, South Australia, and Tasmania, as the competition goes on a six-week break before round two.
Mack admits she is "pretty happy but never satisfied" after her stellar opening round garnered 103 runs at 51.50, while Sam Bates surpassed Kris Britt to become the Meteors' leading wicket-taker with 44. But Mack is adamant they have more to give as the ACT set their sights on a maiden final appearance.
"I’m happy, and I’m happy I could at least steer us to a win, but we think there is more in the tank through so hopefully that comes out in the next round," Mack said.
"It’s been an interesting weekend, some of the results have gone different than everyone expected. We are equal first, I think there is about four of us there. It’s a good place to be I guess.
"Obviously two wins would have been great but it’s a nice feeling to finish off strong and come back to Canberra with a bit more of a positive mindset than we were in on Friday."
The 25-year-old has emerged as one of the Meteors' most important players in recent seasons and there could be plenty more runs to come in blue and gold after making the permanent move to Canberra.
"I moved here earlier this year so I’ll be playing with Tuggeranong if they’ll have me," Mack laughed.
"I love playing with the boys, they love it for one, but it’s a good competition but I think they love having us in the team so that’s always nice."
ACT METEORS WNCL FIXTURE
September 21: Tasmanian Tigers bt ACT Meteors by five wickets at Allan Border Field.
September 23: ACT Meteors bt Queensland Fire by four wickets at Allan Border Field.
November 9: ACT Meteors v Victoria at Manuka Oval, 2.30pm.
November 11: ACT Meteors v Western Fury at Manuka Oval, 10am.
February 2: ACT Meteors v NSW Breakers at Karen Rolton Oval (Adelaide), 10am.
February 3: ACT Meteors v South Australian Scorpions at Karen Rolton Oval (Adelaide), 10am.
Click here for the full fixture.
