GLEN Innes is still to finalise its side for Sunday’s MA Connolly Cup final against Tamworth but will need a new skipper.
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Regular captain Adrian Sippel is unavailable.
“I’ve got a prior commitment I can’t get out of,” Sippel said.
While disappointed to be missing the biggest game of the season, Sippel is proud of what Glen has achieved and excited for his side.
“I honestly believe they’ve got a very good chance of winning,” he said.
They almost did two weeks ago and, if it wasn’t for the 50 wides they bowled, probably would have.
Having seemingly rectified that against Pilliga last week, they head back down to Tamworth full of confidence.
Ben Lonergan will take over the captaincy in Sippel’s absence.
They were still finalising a replacement but have named one for Blake Steel.
He’s out with Orientation Week and is the only other change from the side that beat Pilliga on the weekend.
Thomas McCarney comes in for him.
“He’s a similar sort of bowler,” Sippel said.
He’s been a regular around the set-up, this season and in the past.
“He’s been a good player for the Glen Innes side,” Sippel said.
“He’ll be very handy. He’ll probably take the new ball.”
Things seem to be falling into place for Glen.
“Everyone’s hitting form at the right time,” Sippel said.
Nathan Levy is certainly firing and Glen will be hoping he can repeat his batting heroics from the weekend.
He smashed a century off about 40 balls and took the game away from Pilliga.
Levy will also take over behind the stumps for Sippel.
“He’s been keeping most games when I’ve been bowling,” he said.
“He’s got natural ability in all areas of the game.”
“He used to be one of the quickest bowlers you’ve ever seen.”
And as Pilliga well know, he can bat.
It will be Glen’s first appearance in the Connolly Cup final and reflective of what has been a great season after it almost made the finals of the Country Plate.
GLEN INNES: Peter Rajko, Nathan Purvis, Nathan Levy, Nick Lehman, Joel Jackson, Shawn Mepham, Scott Hodder, Ben Lonergan (capt), Perry Stapleton, Jake Baker, Thomas McCarney.