Victorian top order batsman Nic Maddinson has taken a cheeky dig at former team New South Wales while crediting the environment at his new state for his rich vein of Sheffield Shield form.
After a lean Big Bash League campaign, Maddinson made it two Shield centuries in as many matches when he top-scored for the Bushrangers with 108 on Monday, backing up the 162 he made in their last outing against WA in early December.
His most recent ton helped Victoria make 344 in the first innings against Queensland, but the Bushrangers trail the Bulls by 232 runs after Queensland made it to stumps on day three at 1-135.
The 27-year-old, who admitted he wasn't expecting to play any first-class cricket this summer, believes his impressive formline has been helped by the the change in scenery.
"I love it, it's great," Maddinson said when asked what he thought of the environment at the Bushrangers.
"I think they worry about the important things rather than the little micromanaging - it doesn't seem to occur here - so that's something I think I've enjoyed.
"A lot of responsibility is put on the players to look after themselves and get themselves ready, and I think the preparation I had I felt pretty relaxed and mentally fresh coming in this week rather than being forced to train Monday and Tuesday and that perception that you need to hit more balls just because you haven't played much red-ball cricket I think is a pretty good example of the environment here.
"We're playing pretty well this year and on top at the moment obviously and I think that's a key contributor."
Maddinson also said he's not thinking about a potential Ashes call-up, he's just happy plying his trade with his current side.
Another Ashes hopeful is Test and Bulls opener Joe Burns (64 not out) who played a key role late on Monday to put the visitors in a commanding position.
Burns shared Maddinson's view of putting Australian selection out of his mind while in the middle at Junction Oval.
"I've played enough cricket now to know that (you will) 'head screw' yourself if you think about the game too much," Burns said.
"You've just got to take each training session and each day's play (as it comes) and just try and put your best foot forward.
"Obviously there is an incentive that if you do get in to go on and get big scores, and I guess that's good around the country to develop a ruthlessness in batters."
