AN ENGLISHMAN, a miner and teenage spinner are the new faces in Tamworth’s Country Cup team to tackle a Newcastle adversary first up in Sunday’s Country Cup clash at Tamworth’s No 1 Oval.
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Tamworth selectors named one of North Tamworth’s two English recruits, Adam Mansfield, in their side to play Toronto on Sunday as well as Boggabri-based miner Brad Jenkinson and young Old Boys spinner Will Chesterfield.
Mansfield was in sparkling form with the bat and gloves in Sunday’s War Veterans Cup run chase against Namoi at No 1 Oval.
He struck a fine 45, including some spanking off drives against left-arm Gunnedah seamer Troy Sands.
He and Redback teammate Kris Halloran (75) added 105 for the fourth wicket on a dying wicket to snare North Tamworth a six wicket win and a War Veterans Cup semi-final berth.
With Halloran playing for Gwydir in the Country Plate and Connolly Cup, it enables Mansfield to fill his spot in the Tamworth top order.
“He’s been pretty exciting so far,” said Tamworth selector and fellow top order batsman Adam Jones of the English Redback.
“He hasn’t missed out yet with the bat – he’s scored two or three 40s and a half century in the trial we had.
“He’s earned a spot in the top order and will open the batting with Simon (Norvill).
“That’s a pretty exciting pairing too.
“Adam’s got a pretty tight defensive technique too and I think he and Simon will make a very good opening partnership – I think they’ll be the perfect fit.”
Jenkinson, who plays with Jones at Bective-East, has made an immediate impression on his Bulls teammates with both bat and ball.
He took wickets and scored runs for the Bulls in their two WVC wins on the weekend and will form a four-man pace attack with Angus McNeill, Jack McVey and left-armer Col Smyth.
That leaves Chesterfield as the main spin option, with James Psarakis and Michael Rixon also quite capable of bowling tight off-spin.
“Will’s in good form and been doing all the right things,” Jones added.
“Last year he was one reason why Old Boys won the first grade premiership and has shown that talent all the way through the juniors as a 15 and 16-year-old.
“He is our main spin option but Jimmie and Ricko are also handy.
“This is the best-balanced Tamworth side I’ve seen for a while.”
Tamworth selectors have also come up with a strong Second XI to play Armidale in their Country Shield clash in Armidale on Sunday.
Matt Everett, Will Howard and English teenager Jack Beaumont drop back from the Tamworth First XI squad to bolster a side to be captained by Ben Middlebrook and containing the likes of Aaron Hazlewood and Adam Lole.
Hazlewood and Lole have been long- term members of the First XI and the pair of left-handers ensure there is a strong batting lineup, with Everett in the top order with Middlebrook.
“It was hard on Matt but we couldn’t fit him in with Grothy to keep and Adam his backup,” Jones said.
“With Ben to captain the side, Matty can concentrate on his keeping and batting.
“Will (Howard) just missed out as well and he and Jack (Beaumont) will be very handy in the bowling.
“It’s a very good side too.”
