Selectors have had a hell of a time trying to put two teams together for the opening weekend of Western Zone Premier League cricket, and while it was a task the strength of Dubbo cricket has come to the fore.
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With the likes of Henry Railz, Greg Buckley and Ben Strachan available for Saturday and Sunday’s matches, and some players only available for one of the two days, Jordan Moran and his panel had to think outside the square.
But they have still come up with two very good sides, to once again be led by Mitch Bower.
English legspinner Darrel Williams and Parkes-based wicketkeeper Corey McDean have been torpedoed into the squad for the matches against Bathurst (at home) and Orange (away), and will complement local players that are a blend of old and new.
“Trying to put quality sides on the park both days has been a task, but I think we’ve still been able to do it,” Moran said.
“We sat down three weeks or so ago and came up with a 15-16 man squad, but ideally we wanted to use a core group of 12-13.
“But we’ve had guys unavailable for various reasons, some quite legitimate and others probably not so legitimate, and we’ve picked the best we had available for these two days.
“We’ll probably cop some flak for picking Darrel and Corey without them playing a game in Dubbo, but we know they are good cricketers and they are the best players for the spots they are filling.”
With no club cricket played as yet, Saturday’s match at No.1 Oval will be the first competitive cricket for the group.
But a quick glimpse of the players selected over the two days gives an indication of the talent on offer.
On Saturday it is likely that Moran will open the batting with the returning Jordan Peacock, with Mitch Bower and Will Lindsay to follow them.
On Sunday, Brock Larance will join the fray to open with either Moran or Peacock, with the opener that misses out to slide down to three or four in a top order that would be the envy of most towns or cities in country NSW.
Throw Buckley into that mix, and you get an indication of why the future is so bright.
“Even though it has been hard to pick these sides, you look at who we have coming back and we’re in a good spot,” Moran said.
“It’s disappointing that some people have put club cricket before rep but we have a lot of talented players that have an opportunity now.
“A guy like Bailey Edmunds from Newtown was the leading wicket-taker in first grade last season and he gets a chance to play at a level he hasn’t played at before.
“He’s a young guy and I hope he really soaks up the opportunity.
“We’ve got a few young guys in this side with a lot of talent, and I suppose the task for Mitch, myself and a couple of the other senior guys this weekend will be to harness that and
DUBBO TEAMS
Saturday: Mitch Bower ©, Jordan Moran, Will Lindsay, Mat Skinner, Marty Jeffrey, Tom Nelson, Jordan Peacock, Ben Patterson, Tom Atlee, Bailey Edmunds, Darrel Williams, Corey McDean
Sunday: Mitch Bower ©, Jordan Moran, Ben Semmler, Marty Jeffrey, Tom Nelson, Jordan Peacock, Ben Patterson, Tom Atlee, Bailey Edmunds, Darrel Williams, Corey McDean, Brock Larance