Rowe determined to cash in on grand final chance after injury recovery

Warming up for Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes before a Riverina League finals match in September, he could barely move after kicking the football.

A range of scans and tests failed to pinpoint the issue before Rowe was eventually diagnosed with osteitis pubis.

A gruelling rehabilitation process followed, with the 36-year-old able to return in time for South Wagga's first grade cricket finals campaign.

But now he's back, he wants to justify his return to the top of the order in this weekend's grand final against Wagga City.

Rowe has made 15 and six in two finals knocks thus far and, while he's not yet 100 per cent fit, said he has no excuse not to make a telling contribution when it matters.

"It definitely hasn't come together for me in first grade yet. I've been really disappointed with the contributions I've made with the bat so far," Rowe said.

"It's probably a mental thing. I'm really aware that Brayden Ambler and Alex Smeeth had a good opening partnership in my absence."

"I like to think I've strengthened our batting line-up, but until I make a significant contribution with the bat you've always got that thing chipping away at you that everything was going pretty well before I came back, and now I want to make sure I carry that baton.

"I'm really determined to make sure myself and Alex really put on a good partnership, and there's no reason that can't happen.

"My lateral movement as a wicketkeeper is not as strong as I'd like it to be, but batting-wise it hasn't been much of a drama at all.

"Standing at the crease and running between wickets isn't too bad, so there's definitely no excuses in that respect."

Rowe had to show extreme patience through his recovery, particularly early as the condition forced him to alter day-to-day tasks.

"The initial de-loading process is probably the most frustrating, you're basically re-doing the way you do a whole heap of every day things," he said.

"The way you sit in the car or lie in bed, the way you sit at the office desk, even the way you breathe, they're all involved in trying to settle things down initially, but after that it's not too bad.

"It's been a pretty slow, steady and frustrating recovery, but I got a really good program set by (exercise physiologist) Craig Ambler.

"I'd say I'm 85 or 90 per cent fit at the moment, and certainly capable of getting through a game of cricket."

Rowe described the Blues' batting line-up as arguably the longest he's been a part of, but warned the defending premiers against expecting a teammate to do the heavy lifting.

"I don't think I've been in a side with this much batting depth before," Rowe said.

"That can often get you into trouble because sometimes guys probably don't take as much responsibility as they might do otherwise.

"That's a focus, making sure no one's looking around the sheds thinking someone else will do the job."

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