Leg spinner Josh Thompson will get the opportunity to show his wares in this week’s Western NSW Under-13s carnival being played in Dubbo.
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Josh is the only CYMS boy in the invitation squad of 12 players selection from the Macquarie Valley under-12s this season.
This carnival will be a learning curve for the boys who will be playing 50-overs, one-day match matches for the first time. Each bowler will be restricted to 10 overs.
Dubbo will look to Macquarie’s James Hughes and Rugby Blues quicks Pat Kelly and Cayden McGrath to get the early breakthroughs while all rounders Strath Munro and Blake Watmore (Rugby Blue) should expect to get plenty of work.
Cricket should come fairly naturally for Cayden McGrath whose father Craig was a leading wicket taker for Rugby in Dubbo Whitney Cup first grade and who is a cousin of former Test great Glenn McGrath.
The Dubbo team is being prepared for the carnival by coach Mark Munro with Alan Hughes his manager.
“All these boys are keen cricketers who want to play the game,” Hughes said.
“It may not be the best under-13s side but these are the boys who have turned up to practice and gave it their best in games. They’re a great bunch of kids and we’re looking forward to seeing them play well.”
Dubbo’s batting will be directed by James Duffy (St John’s), Elliott Carlin (Newtown), Scott Duffy (St John’s), Jarrad Wilson (Rugby Blue) and Lachlan Harper (Rugby Blue) - along with the all rounders. Another key player is wicket-keeper Kyle Munro from Rugby Blue.
Hughes said this carnival is the only representative games for the under-13s this season and is a great opportunity for keen boys to experience representative cricket and test their skills against opposition of top class ability.
“It will provide a wonderful forum for young cricketers to practice and improve their cricket ability, as well as participate in a team learning great sporting and social values,” Hughes said.
Players will board together at Kinross Wolaroi School and experience all the school’s facilities.
Hughes said the decision to purchase baggy caps for the boys had come off after some careful planning and sponsorship from Orana Mall Newsagency, Central West Gates and Fencing, TLE Electrical Dubbo, Jokers Ink embroidery, Midwest Foods and Farmers Choice Butchery.
“These caps are more than an item of clothing but a symbol of pride and honour to be valued and worn reflecting representation of their town when playing away, as well as when playing in their club games,” Hughes said.
“This in turn may help a sport that is struggling for numbers in Western NSW, and hopefully encourage young Dubbo cricketers to strive to obtain their own representative ‘baggy’ cap.”
