The loss of NSW Country paceman Tom O'Neill has been softened a bit for South Tamworth by the arrival of Bryan Warren.
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The former Newcastle first grader has in two outings for the club taken seven wickets.
And as he showed for Tamworth in Sunday's War Veterans Cup loss to Narrabri, he's also pretty handy with the bat.
Batting at nine, Warren was the second top-scorer behind Simon Norvill with 39. He looked assured at the crease and struck the ball cleanly as he and Brad Redshaw put on 41 for the ninth wicket after Tamworth was in danger of being bowled out for under 100.
It prompted the question does he consider himself a bowler, or an allrounder?
"I'm just a bowler that likes to have a bat," he replied.
Sometimes it comes off, as it did on Sunday with Warren bombing three sixes in his 37-ball knock. But sometimes he "can have a bit of a lull with the bat too."
A PE teacher at Tamworth High, the right-arm quick is a big coup for Souths.
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The soon to be 24-year old (he celebrates his birthday this week), played four seasons of first grade for Stockton and was involved in a couple of NSW Country Championship campaigns with Newcastle.
Injuries have hampered him a bit in recent times. He had last season off to recuperate "from a few injures".
After snaring 3-25 on debut for Souths, he backed up with 4-49 last Saturday, and is pretty happy with how he has started the season.
"It's not a bad start with the ball for Souths. I'm still not at the fitness levels I would like to be but that will come throughout the season and hopefully that just improves my performances for the boys," he said.
Coming on at first change on Sunday he claimed 1-18 from his four overs.
"We were just a bit going in against the hill there when we only got 138, so it was a bit tough there. But we did alright. We came back a bit there at the end," he said.
He could find himself facing a few former team-mates next weekend after being named in the Central North open's side to contest the Northern Country Championships at the Central Coast.
Warren is one of a few new faces in the Tom Groth-led the side, the NSW Country keeper and South Tamworth skipper also taking on the coaching duties.
Central North Opens side: Tom Groth (c), Michael Rixon, Andrew Harriott, Tim Baker, Sean Gibson, Nick Smart, Aaron Mahoney, Simon Norvill, Matt Lynch, Jack Montgomery, Tom Stacy, Lachlan Cameron, Tom Irwin, Bryan Warren.
