Ben Middlebrook can't recall a Tamworth senior rep side with such a youthful tinge, as he prepares to lead the Baby Blues against Narrabri in the Connolly Cup final at No.1 Oval on Sunday.
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Tamworth Blue feature seven players aged under 18: Callum Henry, Jack Hamilton, Kilian Apen, Josh Attard, Kurt Barton, Landan Price and Brody Blackett-Gregg.
Henry and Price this month represented ACT/NSW Country at the under-15 nationals on the Sunshine Coast.
Helping Middlebrook, an elder statesman of Tamworth cricket, harness that young talent are his highly experienced Old Boys teammates Adam Lole and Aaron Hazlewood.
Middlebrook and Hazlewood have praised the youngsters for their contributions this year. And on Friday, Middlebrook said the teens helped make the experience "really enjoyable".
"I know the young guys at the start of the season were really excited to play Connolly Cup," he said. "And whenever they're available, they've stuck their hands up because they've really enjoyed it.
"They bring a new energy to the team … It's been good fun."
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Undefeated Tamworth are favourites to reclaim the Connolly Cup they last won in 2016-17 when they defeated Gwydir at No.1 Oval.
In round four in December, they beat Narrabri by 68 runs at No.1 Oval.
Middlebrook said Sunday's final "should be a good game".
He asked Hazlewood to play Connolly Cup this season to help nurture the young talent. The veteran allrounder captured six wickets on day one against Bective East last Saturday - having recovered from a torn bicep on his bowling arm.
"Aaron's a class player," Middlebrook said. "And he proves it every time he goes out to play."
Narrabri captain Craig Gleeson believes that his side will be "a bit stronger for the run" against Tamworth in round four.
"The experience the younger fellas would have got out of playing that match would help them, too," he said.
Tamworth: Ben Middlebrook ©, Adam Lole, Travis Ling, Callum Henry, Jack Hamilton, Kilian Apen, Aaron Hazlewood, Josh Attard, Kurt Barton, Landan Price, Brody Blackett-Gregg and Nathan Mann.
Narrabri: Craig Gleeson (c), Shane Murphy, Jarrett Tough, Hadley Sevil, Justin knight, Mick Dowdell, Cooper Brayshaw, Kaleb Mowle, Danny Laws, Sam Bullen, Brock Schwager and Dylan Smith.
