TAMWORTH’S junior representative cricketers are preparing for a monster week.
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While a former Tamworth junior representative star, Josh Hazlewood, comes off a Boxing Day Test against India in Melbourne into this week’s Fourth Test in Sydney, all five Tamworth teams will be embarking in various carnivals across the state.
Tamworth’s Under 12s and Under 13s head to the North Coast to play, while the 12s start their Lismore Under 12 Carnival next Tuesday and the 13s begin their Ballina Under 13 carnival Monday.
Tamworth then host the Ken Falkenmire Shield Under 14 Carnival from Monday with the Tamworth Under 15s going to Armidale to start the Walter Taylor Shield Under 15 Carnival.
Tamworth’s Under 16s also start their Stan Austin Shield under 16 Carnival on Monday as well, said Tamworth Junior Cricket association president Peter Graham.
“It’s a big week, monstrous,” Graham said.
“All five teams play the same week now, a big week for all our juniors as well as some of our rep players too.”
James Psarakis, like Josh Hazlewood, played in all those junior carnivals in his formative years and heads to Sydney this week to prepare for the Australian Under 19 Championships being played in Adelaide from January 12.
“He’s got a week in camp,” said James’ father Terry Psarakis, who is also the Central North Zone chairman.
James is part of the NSW Country/ACT side to play in the nationals alongside another CNZ junior, Denman’s Riley Ayre.
“It is a big week for all the juniors as well, something James came through,” Psarakis added.
While the Tamworth junior teams have busy weeks, Graham also predicts plenty of success for them.
“All five sides have a good chance of winning their carnivals,” he said.
“They are all going well in their respective age groups in the Hunter Valley and Northern Inland junior competitions.”