JAMES Psarakis will be looking for his second Tamworth Twenty20 title in a row and third in four years tonight when he leads Steggles against Halpins in the grand final at No 1 Oval on a huge weekend of cricket for the town and region.
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Psarakis has been thrown into the leadership role following regular captain Ben Middlebrook going to Brisbane with the Hazlewood family to watch Josh take five wickets on his Test debut.
The Old Boys skipper will be back tomorrow to play City before leading his Old Boys against North Tamworth on Sunday in the War Veterans Cup final.
Old Boys will be even more dangerous this weekend because of their own Hazlewood, Aaron, fresh from seeing his brother take five wickets for Australia.
A testament to the impact the big-hitting all-rounder has on the competition is the TDCA best and fairest board.
Aaron sits clear ahead on seven points heading into this weekend, a feat made even better by the fact that he only plays every second weekend due to work commitments.
Steggles was also clear on top of the table, with the competition so close this year that all three other sides finished second on 12 points.
Hurricane’s hero Brendan Rakus hit an unbeaten 50 to beat the TPW Tigers last week and earn a place in the final on countback.
The match will see Tamworth’s two young guns have a shoot-off, with Matt Everett the chief plumber versus Psarakis.
They both played in the state championships last week and are capable of big scores.
A fortnight ago Psarakis smashed 88 from 46 balls in a great display of big hitting.
The South Tamworth captain hit a half century to help McDonald’s win the final last year and wants to lead from the front again on his quest for a third title.
Bowler Troy Sands will be used as a pinch hitter at the top of Steggles’ order with the skipper, the pair a formidable couple to bowl to early.
While the skipper and Sands are after quick runs, Psarakis wants to pin the innings on first drop Simon Toyer.
“We have won four or five in a row now,” Psarakis said.
“Toyer holds the innings together for us and plays a great role.
“He anchors one end with the occasional boundary.”
The skipper believes it will be a very interesting game.
While Steggles boasts a good batting line-up, Halpins arguably have the best bowling outfit.
Jack McVey and Col Smyth are the two spearheads and are backed up by Dan Lawrence, Nigel Parkinson, and Brad Mills along with some other part-time options.
A great pace attack against a dangerous batting attack, under lights, in a final, expect fireworks.
That game will start after the third-place match between last year’s winners McDonald’s and the TPW Tigers.
