Central North coach Barry Smith believes that if his side perform to their potential they can give the Bradman Cup a good shake.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Country U16s carnival gets underway in Newcastle on Monday and will see Central North taking on Riverina.
“We’ve picked a pretty strong squad,” Smith said.
“I’m confident that if we can get the boys to perform close to the abilities they showed in the trials we should go well.”
They have had to make one change from the side named late last year with quick Rex Greaves breaking his leg at school a couple of days after the side was named.
Lachlan Cheshire has come in for him. He was a member of the Kookaburra Cup group a couple of years ago and Smith described him as a Glen McGrath style nag away bowler.
The change could see Tamworth leg-spinner Conrad George thrown the new ball.
“I’m contemplating using him early,” Smith said.
“It might suit the balance to open with him.”
George is the only leggie in the side but one of a few spinning options. Skipper Will Fort also bowls off-spin but is more of a “tie them down bowler”.
“We’ll use Conrad as more of a wicket-taker,” Smith said.
He said most of the side can bowl a bit.
“We’ve got a plenty of options,” he said.
“We’ve got a couple of different styles of bowlers. We’ve got a couple that take it away and a couple that take it in.”
Most of the side played in either the Taree U16s or Hunter Valley U15s carnival last week and carry in good form.
“Most of the players were among the runs or among the wickets,” Smith said.
Fort is the only player backing up from last years Bradman Cup campaign and will be a key with the bat coming in at first drop.
He has been playing with Northern Districts in the AW Green Shield and is the second-leading run-scorer.
Another taking in in good form is Tamworth’s Lachie Barton.
He had knocks of 43 and 73 at the Taree Carnival.
He’s one of three players on Central North debut and is looking forward to the week.
He will be joined by George and Armidale quartet Kieran Dennis, Henry Sindel, Henry Smith and Jackson Gwynne.
Gwynne is part of the fast bowling cartel, Smith will wear the gloves while Sindel will have a big role to play with the bat.
Central North 16s: Will Fort (capt), Kieran Dennis, Jacob Page, Matt Lynch, Lachlan Barton, Callum Gabriel, Isaac Barry, Henry Smith (wk), Henry Sindel, Aiden Bills, Jackson Gwynne, Lachlan Cheshire, Conrad George. Coach - Barry Smith, Assistant coach - Rod Bryant