ENGLISH import Adam Mansfield has been drafted into the Tamworth MA Connolly Cup side for tomorrow’s game against Gunnedah, a move that Gunnedah president Mike Silver was hoping not to see.
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Mansfield wasn’t named in the original side to play at Wolseley Park until a late pull- out from Chris Coulton left Tamworth with very few choices.
Silver believed the new rep format was implemented to alleviate the playing pressure on first grade players.
“I would have liked to see the Connolly Cup stay purely a 2nd XI competition,” Silver said.
Mansfield played for Tamworth in its only SCG Country Cup game against Toronto last week, a fact Silver believes should rule him out of playing Connolly Cup cricket.
Tamworth spinner Will Chesterfield was given a dispensation because he is an U19 player and will take the field tomorrow.
It is not a hard and fast rule but it is something Silver believes was akin to an unspoken agreement in the Northern Inland.
“The Connolly Cup is a second division competition,” Silver said.
“We don’t want to grade players but that was the intent.
“We would like to keep the spirit of the second XI competition alive.”
Gunnedah has selected seven teenagers, many debuting tomorrow.
“It is still a great opportunity and experience for the boys to see the top level,” Silver said.
Harrison Kelly has been given another chance and only adds to the Tamworth top order that includes in- form captain Ben Middlebrook, Adam Lole, and now Mansfield.
Tamworth selector Adam Jones said it wasn’t easy to put a purely 2nd XI side together because so many potential players are unavailable.
With the Country Cup side out of contention and half a side unavailable for a range of reasons, the selectors thought it appropriate to name Mansfield in the side.
City captain Simon Toyer has also been called up and, along with fellow City all-rounder Richie O’Halloran, makes for a strong top order and very long tail.
Opening City bowler Ben Semmler has also been called up.
Left-arm spinner Jack Beaumont will stay in the side after some tight bowling and a 24 not out in last week’s Country Shield win over Armidale.
Touted as a spinner when he came to North Tamworth, it has been his batting that has stood out.