AT their last home Country Championships they achieved their best finish for a number of years and Central North skipper Tom Groth is hoping his band of new and old faces can similarly stand up at Gunnedah this weekend.
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Groth was part of the side that was third when Tamworth hosted the championships back in 2010.
Then, all eight zones played at the one carnival.
Since then they’ve been split into Northern and Southern.
Old Boys trio Ben Middlebrook, Simon Norvill and Adam Lole, Bective East’s Adam Jones and West Tamworth quick Brendon Reynolds also played in that 2010 side.
Reynolds is back after plying his trade in Sydney for a few seasons and will spearhead the attack.
“He’s come back from Sydney,” Groth said. “Obviously he’s a great addition to the quick bowling stocks.”
He’s one of a few changes to last year’s side.
“It’s a good opportunity for a new-look side to see what we can do,” the NSW Country keeper said.
The balance is about half Northern Inland, half Hunter Valley players.
They’re predominantly Maitland, who Tamworth were due to play in the Country Cup last weekend.
It would have been a good chance for Groth to cast an eye over them, but he has seen a few of them play before.
“Lincoln Mills played last year, as did Matt Trappel,” he said.
“I’ve played against Jacob Carey.”
“And Pat Magann has come through the junior system,” Groth said.
The left-armer is one of the zone’s most promising young bowlers and will play for NSW Country/ACT at the U19s nationals starting at the end of the month.
“Obviously we’ve had a fair few players withdraw, which is disappointing, especially being a home carnival,” Groth said.
He was particularly disappointed to lose spinners Harrison Kelly and Will Chesterfield.
Narrabri’s Ryan Meppem has come in to fill that void.
Groth can also turn to Middlebrook.
The Old Boys allrounder has proved a valuable wickettaker over the years but they are probably still a spinner short.
“The Gunnedah wickets are usually pretty low and slow,” Groth said.
“It would have been nice to have an extra spinner.”
They will be at Wolseley Park all three games.
It’s quite a big field and quite slow.
For many of the Tamworth contingent it’s been a while between innings, and Groth admitted the lack of cricket is a bit of a concern.
“We haven’t really played for three weeks,” Groth said.
“It’s almost like it’s the start of the season again.
“Blokes have obviously been having a hit in the nets but it’s not the same as a hit in the middle.”
He said one of the keys to them doing well this weekend was turning up and being enthusiastic.
They’ll also need a few good individual performances, he said.