NORTHERN Inland and Hunter Valley shared the Central North Zone Challenge Under 14 and 16 selection trials in Tamworth yesterday.
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The NICC’s Under 16s had a five wicket win over Hunter Valley at Dick Edwards Oval while the HV Under 14s beat Northern Inland by 28 runs across the lane on Riverside 2.
CNZ chairman Terry Psarakis watched both games and was delighted with the high standard from all four teams in the second Challenge day after the two councils had split the matches at Scone’s Bill Rose Complex earlier in the month.
“We had two more very good games today,” Psarakis said.
“Everyone got their chance today too to show their wares and have made it pretty hard for the selectors.
“It’s always tough picking these teams. There might be a half dozen standouts but then they have to wrestle with the rest.
“I will say it’s going to be hot down in Griffith for the Kookaburra Cup so I don’t think we’ll be stacking our side with quicks and maybe spin might get a bigger look in down there.
“Newcastle (Bradman Cup venue) has been good for pacemen though.”
He said a number of young players had shone again yesterday, with Narrabri’s Coby Cornish scoring a fine and unbeaten century for the NICC in the Under 16 win over HV.
Wicketkeeper Cornish hit seven fours and three sixes in his stay while left-hander Tyson Rennie also smacked 11 boundaries in his 73 in the successful run chase.
Earlier, HV openeing bat Will O’Donnell spanked nine fours in his 82 for a side which made 8-216.
Moree paceman Paddy Montgomery claimed 2-26 off his 10 overs and James Austin also took 2-32 while Jeremy Smith was best of the HV bowlers, snaring 2-29 off his six overs.
HV Under 14 skipper Matt Lynch didn’t bat yesterday but had already distinguished himself with bat and ball.
“He’d already scored a 98 and 50 in previous games and taken 5-23 and 3-23 as well,” Psarakis said.
“He didn’t bat today but took 3-7 at the end.”
Northern Inland looked like they might chase down the 9-217 HV had set, with opener Bailey Miller (68) and Isaac Barry (55) making good runs in the top order.
Jock Vivers also had some lusty hits to finish unbeaten on 27 against an attack led by diminutive but talented paceman Henry Sindel (4-31 off 10).
Kaleb McIlveen (39) and Noah Pitt (32) topscored for NI while Aaron Baker (19), Liam Rodgers (18) and Oscar King (24) all got starts but Vivers (2-13), Jordan Murphy, Lachlan Williams, Tom Druery, Isaac Barry and Will Stoneman all took wickets before Lynch fired in a 3-7 three-over spell to finish off the game.
Psarakis said the Kookaburra Cup and Bradman Cup sides would be named on the Central North Zone website sometime tomorrow.