STATE Challenge tournament director Michael Maclennan believes there is no doubt people are witnessing some future Australian test players in action at Dubbo this week.
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The inaugural under-13s and under-14s tournament began yesterday and after some thrilling results on day one. Maclennan said he was shocked by the high level of play on show. "I was very, very impressed. I was amazed at how good it was," he said. "What's good now is that everyone around the state has embraced this and the high performance programs and we've got them all here.
"This is the pinnacle of under-13s and under-14s cricket."
The home side, the Western Riverina Kangaroos, opened their campaign with one win and one loss yesterday on day one of the statewide competition.
The under-14s Kangaroos, featuring Dubbo trio Henry Railz, Tom Atlee and Thomas Nelson, went down to the South City Sharks but the 13s were victorious over the same opponent. Both matches went right down to the wire and Maclennan said after witnessing the close finishes and high level of play he was left in no doubt that there were future baggy green players on the Dubbo ovals.
"I was saying today that in five years time some of these players will be in national under-19s squads and this could really be where someone kickstarted there career," he said.
"You only need a couple of balls or one or two shots and people start talking about you, kids can really shape themselves here."
The State Challenge has been three years in the making and is now an official Cricket Australia tournament.
Maclennan, who said he couldn't have been happier with day one, was also full of praise for the grounds at Dubbo and Narromine's Dundas Park.
"I love it," he said. "Lady Cutler is just fantastic and it was only a couple of months ago when Victoria Park was vandalised so I was a bit concerned in November but Dubbo District cricket Association and the council has been great.
"The Narromine cricket club has also been fantastic and so has their council, the ground is great out there."
In today's matches the Western Riverina Kangaroos meet the West City Scorpions with the under-13s playing at No. 2 Oval and the 14s at Lady Cutler 3.
The full list of results and fixtures for the coming days can be found at http://www.statechallenge.nsw.cricket.com.au/.
During yesterday's opening day of play, Daily Liberal photographers Belinda and Hannah Soole were on hand to capture some of these best moments on camera.
