FAST bowlers Jack McVey and Angus McNeill might have been opponents last Saturday but come this Saturday they will once again form two thirds of a formidable attack.
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The two young quicks will be teaming up and hoping to roll Albury in the SCG Country Cup quarter-final the same way they rolled Coffs Harbour a fortnight ago.
Both bowlers have been in the Tamworth side for the past two seasons and both bowlers say they have learnt a lot from the third arm of the attack, Col Smyth.
Smyth is a veteran of the game and of playing for Tamworth and already has a Country Cup win under his belt.
Tamworth captain Tom Groth said the three make a great team of bowlers.
“Col is a left armer, Angus takes it away from the right bat and Jack brings it in,” Groth said.
“Col has been tieing up an end and can bowl consistent dots, which allows Angus and Jack to go for the throat at the other end.”
McNeil plays with Smyth at South Tamworth where the same system has kept the side undefeated so far this season.
“He allows me to be more expansive and has taught me a lot,” McNeill said.
“I have learnt to bowl in partnerships and to attack individual batsmen for a wicket.”
“Col leaves batsmen on strike for me, or rotates them at the right time.”
McNeill travels from his home town of Muswellbrook every weekend to play more competitive cricket and this year it has paid off.
In the last game against Coffs Harbour, the opening bowler got the side off to a great start, removing both openers, one for two and the other a duck.
He then took out their number four with a great nut that smashed the stumps for a golden duck.
His partner McVey then did the rest.
McVey returned figures of 5-24, cleaning the tail up to leave Coffs with a meagre total of 76.
The University of Newcastle student loves playing for Tamworth because of the leadership and feel in the side.
“The side has got plenty of captains in it and there is a lot of chat on the field,” McVey said.
“There is always one of the older guys there to have a chat when you are going to lose you head.”
The huge line-up of batsmen in the Tamworth side gives the young bowler plenty of confidence to express himself with the ball.
“I like to bat first and bowl at a score.”
“But with that batting attack you can try some things and know you’re pretty safe.”
The 20-year-old is looking forward to the challenge of the Country Cup and bowling to some different faces.
“It’s good to have some new batsmen to have a go at and see how we go.”
“There are a few boys who have been there before and done it before.”
“I am just looking to hit the spot and trying to keep it tight.”
“And if we win I am mostly looking forward to the bus trip home.”
Tamworth selectors have added wicketkeeper Matt Everett to the squad as a replacement for Andrew Maher.
