Western Zone manager David Redden is confident this year’s zone outfit is capable of restoring NSW Country cricket order when it begins its 2014 Southern NSW Country Cricket Carnival in Griffith today.

Western Zone won the 2012 tournament with a final victory over Illawarra, but lost each of its three matches in a limp title defence at Wade Park last season.

“We were embarrassed in not winning a game last year,” Redden said.

“We went from the penthouse to the outhouse.

“But there’s a lot to like about this year’s squad. I think it’s a strong and experienced squad.”

And it has to be competing in a southern pool Redden describes as “the most even I can remember”.

He said the little moments that hurt the zone’s title defence last summer will be key in turning the tide back Western’s way.

“This is going to be one of those carnivals where a half hour of hitting the ball over the fence or 15 minutes taking three or four quick wickets will change the carnival,” he said.

“Going over there the whisper is the wickets will be flat. There’s no excuses though. We’ve had a pre-season camp in Blacktown, the trial wasn’t what we hoped it would be but it’s good to see a number of the boys in form and playing good cricket.

“We’re focussed on Riverina first up.”

Orange’s best player all representative season, Englishman Curtis Free will line-up for Western Zone as the Orange District Cricket Association’s lone zone player.

Confident of performing and helping Western in its bid to beat Riverina today, then Southern and Illawarra over the weekend, Free said he has high expectations ahead of the southern carnival.

“I want to do well for myself and obviously help the team do really well,” the CYMS quick said.

“I played at a reasonably high level in England and I’m looking forward to playing at this level here. I’d love to take the new ball and get a few wickets for the team but that’s up the captain.”