NORTH West Schools Sports Association cricket selectors believe they have come up with a side full of talent and ready to tackle the best schoolboy cricketers in the state at next February’s State CHS Carnival in North Sydney.
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Leading the way are two talented teenagers – James Psarakis and Matt Everett.
Tamworth High School student Psarakis missed yesterday’s NW trials at Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School as he was playing for the state Under 17 side in a trial game against the NSW Under 19s in Sydney.
He will head to Adelaide in January to play in the Australian Under 17 Cricket Championships and will be a co-captain of the North West side with Oxley High’s Matt Everett.
Everett, who skippered the State CHS side on its recent English tour, was at yesterday’s trials and buoyed by his elevation to the NSW All Schools side for a match against ACT at the SCG this Monday.
“The keeper pulled out,” Everett explained yesterday.
“So I got the call up to play at the SCG on Monday.”
He had a spare Sunday as it was with Country wicketkeeper Tom Groth donning the gloves for Sunday’s War Veterans Cup clash for Tamworth against Narrabri in Tamworth after Everett had captained the Tamworth Second XI to a 153-run win over Gunnedah in last Sunday’s Country Shield.
Narrabri teenagers Jake Brayshaw, Dylan Segundo and Ryan Meppem could all be back in Tamworth on Sunday for that War Veterans Cup clash with Tamworth.
Yesterday the trio were selected in the North West side under co-captains Psarakis and Everett.
“It’s a reasonably strong side,” said NW coach and manager Kel Walls.
“A lot stronger than last year’s. There’s a bit more batting and bowling depth.
“And hopefully we’ll have better conditions to play in. We didn’t play on one turf wicket (because of rain) earlier this year.
“Hopefully the weather will be a lot better down at North Sydney.”
The team will play the State CHS Carnival from February 10 to 13 on grounds around North Sydney.
“I’m expecting a good carnival, especially with two players from last year’s CHS team coming back (Psarakis and Everett).
“They are excellent leaders while we have some exciting young players as well. It’s a lot stronger team than we had last year.”
Walls congratulated those who made the NW XI but also had plenty of praise for some of the younger players who tried out.
“There were some very good Year 8, 9 and 10 players here today too. They are all eligible for next year.”
