JAMES Psarakis confirmed his immense talent and was a shining light for Central North as it suffered a first day Northern Country Championship set-back at Ballina yesterday.
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The Tom Groth-skippered side’s title hopes took a hit with a 40-run loss to North Coast.
That was no fault of Psarakis.
The 18-year old, who only two weeks ago led the Central North 19s to Country title success, stood up on his senior debut top-scoring with 105.
Fellow debutant and 19s team-mate Ryan Hansen also shone, hitting 52 as Central North made 232 in reply to North Coast’s 6-272.
They put on 99 for the third wicket and were two of only three batsmen to make double figures.
“James played really well,” Groth said.
“His first game at that level and he just showed how much talent he’s got.”
He faced just 97 balls for his 105 and smacked six fours and four sixes.
Groth wasn’t too disappointed with the bowling effort, although they did drop four catches including opener and equal top-scorer Luke Hamilton (75) three times.
“We were pretty happy with that total on that ground,” Groth said.
It was a good wicket for batting and the outfield was lightning quick.
“We were just too slow at the start,” he said.
“We couldn’t rotate the strike in the first 25/30 overs.”
“We got bogged down.”
It left them needing to get 10 an over for the last 20 or so, the pressure leading to the inevitable late crash of
wickets.
Psarakis’s century capped off a good allround performance.
He and Harrison Kelly were the pick of the bowlers.
Kelly finished with 3-35 from his 10 while Psarakis returned 0-28 from his.
Angus McNeill (2-61) fared the best of the quicks but it was hard going for them.
“One end had a gale blowing,” Groth said.
“It was hard to bowl into that wind.”
Groth wasn’t making excuses. They were he said “outplayed”.
Things won’t get any easier with a clash against top seeds Newcastle today.
