CRICKET season officially starts for Western Zone’s juniors this Monday in Bathurst when under 14s, 16s and 18s teams host travelling sides from Gordon.
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Young Lithgow pace bowler is set to take the field for the under 18s.
It a big chance for the region’s players to make an impression. The games will act as trials for Western selectors to determine their teams for the Colts Country Championships, Bradman Cup and Kookaburra Cup.
Trial matches against St George and Penrith will also take place in Sydney on the 3rd and 4th of October.
Despite many players being unavailable for the Western under 18s they will still put forward a strong squad.
Last year’s Bradman Cup captain Tom Nelson will fill the same role for the squad and Bathurst’s Nic Broes will be vice-captain.
“We’ve had a few players pull out so it’s been frustrating to try and put a side together,” under 18s manager Greg Nicholls said.
“Marty Jeffrey is playing NSW All Schools so they’ve allowed us to bring in Ryan Peacock even though he’s an overage player.
“When we go to Sydney we won’t have Hamish Starr, Ryan or Luke Powell because they’ll be at the under 19s State Challenge.”
Nicholls said he’s not too sure what standard of cricket the Gordon sides will bring to Bathurst but he believes his team will be up for whatever comes their way.
“I haven’t seen what they’ve got yet. I know they’ll probably have some players in there with first grade experience. They’ll likely use this game as a trial for Poidevin-Gray,” he said.
“A lot of our guys have Western Zone Academy experience and have been busy over the winter.
“Nic Broes played a couple of first grade games towards the end of last season and we’re very confident he bring that experience into this game.
“Tom Nelson, from Dubbo, will be captain. He’ll take away a lot of confidence from his position as Bradman Cup captain last season.
“Hamish and Luke will open our bowling … and backing them up will be Ben Knaggs, Tom Atlee and Charlie Greer. We’re a bit short on spin options but Nic will be able to help out there.”
Mark Day, Ben Parsons, Sam Hall, Ben Mitchell and Bailey Brien give Bathurst a large representation in the under 18s squad across the three upcoming trial games.
This Monday under 18s play at the Scots School, 16s at Brooke Moore Oval and 14s at All Saints’ College.
All matches will start from 10am.
