Narrabri’s Lachlan Cameron latches onto this ball against Armidale last Sunday. He’ll line up for Northern Inland in tomorrow’s trial against Hunter Valley. Photo: Grant Robertson 211012GRB12
NARRABRI skipper Lachlan Cameron will be one of several new faces trying their luck for Central North selection at Gunnedah tomorrow.
The clash between Northern Inland and Hunter Valley at Wolseley Park will help decide the make-up of the zone side to contest the Northern NSW Country Carnival at Newcastle in three weekends’ time.
It will also decide who holds the JS McNamara Cup.
Hunter Valley heads to Gunnedah with possession of the silverware but Northern Inland isn’t planning on the side returning with it.
They have in recent years supplied the bulk of the Central North side and will field a handful of last year’s side tomorrow.
Others such as Cameron are stepping up to that level for the first time.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” Cameron said.
“I haven’t played any rep cricket (aside from district) for a long time.
“It’s good to get an opportunity.”
He hasn’t had a lot of luck when it comes to playing at the higher representative levels.
Last year he was considered for the Northern Inland side but had to pull out after carrying over an ankle injury from the rugby season.
He’s also missed out the Central North rugby representative season because of injury.
Cameron played a fair bit of rep cricket in his junior days but tomorrow will be his first time playing for Northern Inland.
It was a bit of an unexpected call-up.
“I probably didn’t finish the War Veterans Cup last year with the best results,” he said.
He started okay though, much as he has done this season with 82 against Armidale on Sunday.
“I got a bit of a score last Sunday, which gave me more of a chance,” he said.
It wasn’t enough to get Narrabri over the line but reiterated what he can do with the bat.
He’s been picked predominantly as a batsman but is there as a slow option if skipper Tom Groth requires.
“I wasn’t in the greatest form coming into Sunday,” he said.
His best before then was about 35.
“Sunday I felt good. It’s the best I’ve hit it for a while,” he said.
Hopefully he can continue that this weekend for Northern Inland and MAC in local Narrabri club action.
Today is the first round of the two-dayers.
“This traditionally has been where teams have really broken away,” Cameron said.
MAC started the season brightly but their batting hasn’t held up the last couple of games.
Cameron is also helping out with the Narrabri rep sides as a selector.
While the firsts have the weekend off, the seconds host Pilliga tomorrow in round one of the MA Connolly Cup.
Luke Meppem will lead a side that contains a few new faces to rep cricket and some talented youngsters with the likes of Joel Hogan, Ethan Wright and Cameron King just out of the juniors.
King, a state rugby representative, made his debut for the firsts last weekend.
Inverell and Dumaresq Colts will match up at Inverell in the other clash with Gunnedah forfeiting to Tamworth Colts.
The draw is set to be rejigged next week, with Gunnedah’s withdrawal leaving eight teams.