BEN MIDDLEBROOK is excited about tomorrow’s Country Shield knockout match with Armidale at Armidale Sportsground.
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Not just by his return to the Tamworth ranks but by the quality of the side he has been handed for the Shield game.
The Old Boys skipper, who travels to Tamworth from Gunnedah to play in the local first grade competition as well as this year’s Tamworth Premier League Twenty20, has been named captain of the Tamworth Second XI team to play Armidale in an opening round of the Country Shield.
The knockout match will be played at Armidale Sportsground tomorrow.
Today the lanky allrounder will lead Old Boys in a second- round Tamworth District Cricket Association match, the first day of a two-day round, against West Tamworth at No 1 Oval.
Last season, Old Boys won the TDCA premiership and the Wombramurra Cup that goes with that success.
While he’d like to repeat that performance, he’s also keen to help Tamworth to some success in the Country Shield.
“I played for Tamworth the first two years they made the SCG Country Cup Final,” he reminded this journalist at Wednesday night’s TPL selection night.
“I thought I’d have a change again and help out Tamworth.
“I’m looking forward to it actually.
“We’ve got some very good young kids coming through.
“We have a good balance and hopefully all gel.
“It’s a knockout too.”
Which is about the quick or the dead – you only get one chance.
And he might have the perfect one-day player in Aaron Hazlewood lining up.
A dashing batsman with the ability to club deliveries out of any park, he’s also a strike bowler and a brilliant fielder.
“He’s a good cricketer,” Middlebrook smiled.
He’s seen Hazlewood’s destruction plenty of times.
“Bat, bowl or in the field, he’s one of those players who can tear you apart.
“I’m just glad he’s back home from work for a little while.
“But then we have some very good players – Matty (Everett), Will (Howard), Jack Richards and Jack Beaumont.
“There’s a good balance of youth and experience.”
Richards is a young left-arm spinner on the way up.
He was named in the Central North Zone Under 17s this week and will head to Raymond Terrace next week for the Country Championships on October 31, November 1 and 2 .
Beaumont is a young Englishman playing with North Tamworth and already impressive with the ball.
It all adds up to a big day at Armidale Sportsground.
