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COUNTRY Cricket Cup Plate and Shield competitions may be in a confused state at the moment but a new and exciting Country Twenty/20 is about to kick off.
It’s called the Plan B Regional Bash and is made up of two groups – the Sixers and Thunders – each with eight regional teams.
It all starts on Sunday, October 11 when the Coffs Coast Chargers play the Northern Rivers Rockets at Coffs Harbour and the Border Bullets play the Southern Riverina Vipers in Albury in first round knockout games.
On Sunday, October 18 the Northern Inland Bolters play their first game in the Plan B Regional Bash T20 against the Macquarie Coast Stingers here in Tamworth.
CNZ chairman Terry Psarakis is the Northern Inland Bolters general manager with Terry Browne the coach and Narrabri’s Craig Trindall assistant coach.
“It is an exciting development,” Psarakis said.
“Four of the 16 teams have the chance to play at the SCG and the winners will also play the NSW Blues!”
A knockout competition, all 16 teams have the chance to play December 6 semi finals and final at the SCG.
Each team was also allowed to select two marquee players.
While the Bolters suggested Test bowler Josh Hazlewood, it was a dry piece of humour, although Tamworth’s other Test representative, Erin Osborne, was named, and okayed as one marquee player.
Former Tamworth wicketkeeper Andrew “Buddy” Harriott is the other marquee player.
Harriott also scored 51 for his Northern District first grade side in last Saturday’s Sydney first grade win over Randwick Petersham.
“Having Buddy back is great,” Psarakis said.
“But being able to play Erin is fabulous. She jumped at the chance and is excited about having a bash with us.”
All teams have to include four Under 21s.
The Bolters have five U21s nominated with James Psarakis, now playing with Randwick/Petersham, to skipper the side. Tamworth pair Harrison Kelly and Will Chesterfield also make up the U21 portion along with Narrabri’s Ryan Meppem and Inverell’s Tom Scoble, who are in Brisbane playing with the NSW Country/ACT Under 17s at the National Under 17 Championship.
Other notables include two-time NSW Country player of the year Tom Groth, master blaster Simon Norvill, versatile Narrabri sportsman Lachlan Cameron, Armidale run machine Michael Dawson and big hitting Shawn Meppem.
NORTHERN INLAND BOLTERS SQUAD
James Psarakis (captain), Erin Osborne, Andrew Harriott, Harrison Kelly, Adam Jones, Ben Middlebrook, Simon Norvill, Tim Kensell, Brendan Reynolds, Will Chesterfield, Tom Groth, Aaron Hazlewood, Michael Rixon, Ryan Meppem, Lachlan Cameron, Tom Scoble, Shawn Mephem, Michael Dawson. General Manager - Terry Psarakis, Coach - Terry Browne, Assistant Coach - Craig Trindall.