A Dubbo-heavy Western Zone side is almost certain to give this season’s Bradman Cup title a shake.
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That’s the feeling of Thomas Nelson, who makes up part of the under-16s squad’s immensely talented batting lineup.
The Western squad for January’s Bradman Cup campaign at Newcastle was announced this week, with seven of the 13 players named hailing from Macquarie Valley.
Nelson, the in-form Brock Larance and Campbell Rose provide batting strength while Henry Railz and Tom Atlee are both hard-hitting all-rounders who may well take the new ball.
Add in the sheer pace of James ‘Busta’ Nelson and Mitch Ashford’s handy off-spin and the Dubbo players alone are shaped to star.
“We’ll go really deep in the Bradman Cup,” a confident Nelson said.
“It’s a very young squad but it’s very evenly balanced.
“With the batting there’s guys in form. Brock Larance has got two hundreds (for Macquarie Valley), I’ve got one and Nic Broes (from Bathurst) made a hundred last week.”
The bowling attack is just as strong as the batting with Atlee, Railz and ‘Busta’ Nelson joined by Nic Hall is a fearsome four-pronged pace attack.
The team will be coached by Steve Connolly, who also led the side last season when Western fell short.
“We played under him last year and he’s really good,” Nelson said.
“Very tactical which was really good for us.”
Nelson, Railz and Atlee have all played senior representative cricket in Dubbo while the bulk of the side has made other numerous squads in the past.
But for the CYMS junior, taking on the best young players in country NSW is always one of the more enjoyable parts of the season.
“Bradman Cup always means a lot. It shows you the competition around and you get to play against the best kids your own age,” he said.
“We didn’t get the results we wanted last year but we should this time and that’s exciting.”
The Bradman Cup runs from January 16-19 at Newcastle, with Western playing the hosts on day one.
WESTERN ZONE UNDER-16s: Henry Railz, Tom Nelson, Tom Atlee, Brock Larance, Campbell Rose, James ‘Busta’ Nelson, Mitch Ashford (Macquarie Valley), Nick Broes, Tanvir Singh, Harry Pearce, Ben Mitchell (Mitchell), Nic Hall, Corey McDean (Lachlan Valley).
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
