The make-up of the open side to contest the Country Championships next weekend will be determined after tomorrow’s trial at Kitchener Park and, while all spots are up for grabs, the bowling line-up will require particular attention.

The departures of Josh Trappel and Andrew Kealy to Tasmania and the unavailability of Brad Bannister has left selectors searching for replacements in the pace ranks.

“Fast bowling is definitely an area we need to look closely at,” Central North coach Dave Mudaliar said.

“We’ve got about seven or eight trialling and will probably look to take three away with us.”

The contenders vary in age from NSW U17s paceman Taylor Scott to teenagers Brendan Reynolds, Andy Mack and Tim Orchard, to the likes of Farran Lamb, Aaron Hazlewood, Tom O’Neill, Adam Greentree, Matt House and Adam Murrell.

They have been sprinkled between the two squads – one to be skippered by Tim Kensell and the other Tom Groth, and will be bowling on what is expected to be a similar deck to what they will encounter at Gosford.

“If it’s a typical Kitchener wicket and outfield, it’ll be what we’re up for on the coast,” Mudaliar said.

“You’ve got to bowl a good length and keep it tight.”

“We’ll be looking for bowlers who want to work for their wickets.”

There’s good competition for the spinning roles as well, with incumbent Nick Bower and former Central North rep Mitch Power heading the candidates.

“It comes down to a strong performance on the day,” Mudaliar said.

The trial performances could tip selectors one way over another and could provide a few headaches in the batting order, with the likes of Lachlan Fulloon, Brendan Rixon, Kensell, Ben Middlebrook, Aaron Flaherty, Adam Jones, Adam Lole and Kris Halloran all notching some good scores.

“It’s important that we have guys who are capable at the next level and also guys in pretty good form,” Mudaliar said.

It’s the first time the zone has held a trial as such for a number of

seasons.

“It’s really important to have this game. It’s the final selection trial and it’s a great opportunity to watch players and how they operate in situations,” Mudaliar said.

“It can really firm up some ideas and it’s a good hit-out for the

players.”