FRESH from co-coaching the Central North U16s to Bradman Cup success, Rod Bryant finds himself in charge of another talented crop of cricketers in Dubbo this week.
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Bryant will coach the Northern Razorbacks Under 13s in the State Challenge.
The event was introduced last year and will pit the cream of the country against the best from the city in both 13s and 14s.
Central North combine forces with North Coast to form the Razorbacks and Bryant is expecting some some good things from them.
“Last year the 14s Razorbacks were second in their pool and fourth overall,” Bryant said.
“The 13s were third in their pool but won their play-off so finished fifth.”
Far North Coast’s Michael Woods will be looking after the Razorback 14s, which Central North dominates, providing eight of the 13.
All eight – Isaac Barry, Conrad George, Matt Lynch, Kaleb McIlveen, Bailey Miller, Jack Montgomery, Liam Rogers and Henry Sindel – were part of the Central North 14s side that finished third in the Kookaburra Cup two weeks ago.
Bryant was involved as an assistant coach of that side, as he was the U16s, who beat Southern/ACT by three wickets in the final to win the zone its second Bradman Cup, and second in four years.
It was a bit of a rollercoaster, Central North only sneaking into the final on run-rate after they thrashed Central Coast and Newcastle was rolled by North Coast by a wicket in the final round.
The early finish freshened them up for the final, Bryant said, which they had to be, being sent out to field.
In both innings it looked at stages like it was slipping away but they were able to fight back.
“I think the kids always believed they could win,” Bryant said.
But that belief was tested, especially when they were 6-113 chasing Southern’s 9-227.
“I put it down to a good chase but also good bowling,” Bryant said.
They dragged Southern back from what looked like it could have been at least 250/260 if not more.
He said this week would be a great opportunity for the 13s and 14s.
“It’s the best 48 kids from the city and the best 48 kids from the country,” he said.
“It’s very high-level cricket.”
The eight teams have been split into two pools, with two country teams and two metro teams in each.
They’ll play each of the teams in their pool once and then a play-off game.
The 13s side includes Armidale pair Benji Marshall and Nick Page and Tamworth’s Joey Mead, who has spent the lead-up playing for the NSW PSSA side at the nationals in Brisbane.
Most of the others were either involved in the Kookaburra Cup or the Lismore Carnival with their respective associations.
“The reports back on those kids (Lismore) was that they had good carnivals,” Bryant said.
He said the week was also a great opportunity for them to identify kids who have talent so that they can put them into their various academy programs.
“There’ll be some kids who are testing the water,” he said.
“Other kids have the ability – they’ve just got to believe in themselves that they have the ability.”
