OLD Boys will be inspired by an old boy when they take on North Tamworth for the War Veterans Cup honours tomorrow.
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Josh Hazlewood’s exploits on Test debut in Brisbane has had Tamworth abuzz this week.
Tomorrow his former club will be attempting to win its first-ever War Veterans Cup.
The competition was revamped this season, pitting the six Tamworth clubs against teams representing New England and Namoi.
It’s ended up with two Tamworth sides fighting it out for the silverware.
Old Boys were impressive in beating New England in their semi-final and will welcome back Josh Smith and Aaron Hazlewood.
Hazlewood and skipper Ben Middlebrook have been in Brisbane for the past three days watching Josh tear through the Indians and flash seven fours on his way to 32 not out in Australia’s first inning total of 505.
“It’s been awesome,” Middlebrook said.
“Yesterday (Thursday) was really great. It was good to see him do really well.”
After being presented with his baggy green by Glenn McGrath, Hazlewood earned comparison to another great – Dennis Lillee – after his 5-68.
“He was a much different person yesterday after the cramp episode on the first day,” Middlebrook said.
The paceman suffered in the heat and had to leave the field twice with cramp.
Middlebrook has had injury concerns of his own after damaging his hamstring in Sunday’s Country Shield win but should be right to play tomorrow.
He’ll be a big in for them coming off a slashing century for Tamworth.
They mustered 307 against New England and will be even more fearsome with Hazlewood’s inclusion.
“The plan will be to bat the 50 overs and put a good total on the board,” Middlebrook said.
“If it’s the same sort of deck we’ve been playing on, we’ll be looking for 250 plus.”
“They’ve got a decent batting line-up but if we get 250- plus that will be a good chase for them.”
Especially with the bowling attack they possess, which Hazlewood and Will Howard will spearhead.
They worked the Redbacks over last time they met, routing them for just 49 in the first innings.
The Redbacks fared better in the second innings and managed to stave off the outright.
The two will play somewhat of a curtainraiser today, facing each other in the local grade action.
“It’ll be a bit of a weird thing playing them twice,” Redbacks skipper Michael Rixon said.
Rixon declared Old Boys favourites but knows his side has it in them.
“We’re fairly confident that if we play to our ability we can win,” he said.
That will have to start with the bat.
“We need to bat better than what we did last time we played them,” Rixon said.
“Just some partnerships. That was the problem.
“We kept losing wickets every couple of overs.”
You can’t build momentum when you’re doing that.
Last week against South Tamworth was a big step in the right direction.
“We did well last week,” Rixon said.
He led the way with a brilliant century and will be one of the keys with the bat for them along with Kris Halloran and Adam Mansfield.
Mansfield has got a start almost every game but is yet to post a big score.
The biggest threats to them with the ball will be Howard and Hazlewood.
“They’re probably the ones to be wary of with their new ball spells,” Rixon said.
Hazlewood too with the bat, along with Middlebrook, Simon Norvill and Adam Lole.
If they can get those four early, or even a couple of them, it will go a long way to keeping Old Boys’ total down.
Adam Greentree will have a big role to play in that.
He’s always good for an early wicket or two.