Armidale’s Will Frost hits out on his way to an unbeaten century in last Sunday’s Central North Under 17 Trial in Quirindi. He has been selected in the Central North Under 17 team. Photo: Grant Robertson 141011GRA15
CENTRAL North is confident it can defend its Country Under 17s Championships title at Raymond Terrace in less than two weeks after selecting a talented team for the carnival.
Included in the side are James Psarakis and Max Houlahan, who are in the United Arab Emirates with an Australian U16s side, as well as some of the top performers from Sunday’s trial game at Quirindi.
Will Frost from Armidale and Denman’s Riley Ayre both scored unbeaten centuries in the trial game and both can bowl as well.
The likes of keeper Matt Everett missed the trial because of senior rep duty, in his case with the Tamworth War Veterans Cup side.
“It’s a very hard task for selectors,” selector and CN 17s coach Kel Walls said.
“It’s particularly hard when you have players playing at other levels that come into consideration.
“But the good thing is there’s so many players putting their hand up.
“That’s better than not having any.
“It’s good for cricket and good for Central North.”
The majority of the players who played in the trial are still eligible for U17s next year and they should be back for the Central North U16s trial at the end of next month.
“There were a lot of under 16 players there,” Walls said.
“That augurs well for the Bradman Cup later in the year as well.”
The U17s championships are on October 26-28.
From there a Country U17s team will be chosen to take on City at Bowral a week later.
CENTRAL NORTH U17s: Max Houlahan, James Psarakis, Giles Manley, Will Frost, Riley Ayre, Matt Everett, Hamish Batley, Layne Berry, Mitch Fisher, Rigby Vane-Wood, Blake Small, Will Chesterfield. Coaches - Kel Walls, Rod Bryant, Chris Mudd.
