Old Boys, North Tamworth and Bective-East’s involvement in the War Veterans Cup semi-finals means a host of players are unavailable.

“It’s a pretty handy side still,” captain Anthony Crompton said .

“It’s quite strong in all departments.”

Crompton is one of several players coming into the side.

Only City trio Richie O’Halloran, Simon Toyer and Ben Semmler were part of the side that dispatched  Gunnedah in the last round by 170 runs.

All three will have big roles to play.

“Ben Semmler’s had a pretty good year with bat and ball,” Crompton said.

“And Richie and Simon had have good seasons.”

Toyer is coming off a half-century for City United last week while O’Halloran is the joint leader in the Tamworth best and fairest.

Then there’s the star from the first day of their clash with South Tamworth, Troy Osborne and City young gun Ryan Hansen.

Hansen made his Central North opens debut last week after earning a call-up with two centuries for the U19s.

Crompton will probably look at him to open with Osborne.

He has plenty of options with the ball.

All bar him, keeper Campbell Baker and Hansen regularly bowl for their sides.

The pace will be headed by Semmler, Jake Everett and Julian McGovern.

McGovern had his first run last week back from an arm injury he picked up while playing over in England.

They came out pretty well, Crompton said.

Last season, he was  part of the Tamworth side that beat Moree in the Connolly Cup final so has a bit of an idea of what they can expect.

“They were quite a handy side,” he said.

In saying that, Tamworth did win by eight wickets.

Moree was still finalising its side yesterday.

The Tamworth game is one of four scheduled for Sunday, with Narrabri hosting Gunnedah, Glen Innes travelling out to Bingara and Inverell facing Armidale in Armidale.