THERE’S not just a distinct Bathurst flavour to the Central West Wranglers team taking on this weekend’s Plan B Regional Bash – but a youthful one as well.
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The Wranglers go into Saturday and Sunday’s matches at Orange with Bathurst duo Jameel Qureshi and Ryan Peacock co-captaining the team and junior talents Connor Slattery, Luke Powell, Nic Broes and Ben Parsons among the action.
It speaks volumes of Bathurst’s junior programs that such a strong selection of the cities young, rising stars can be a part of an open age squad for the annual Twenty20 tournament.
It could be the vital ingredient the Wranglers need to bring an end to their losing run in the competition.
“There’s always been some good junior players coming through, but that especially seems to be the case this time,” Powell said.
“I’ve grown up playing against a lot of guys in the Bathurst team now.
“I can be confident playing alongside those guys because I’ve been doing so far many years now.”
The Central West side are aiming to avoid a third straight loss to the Orana Outlaws and this season they also have matches against South Coast Crew and ACT Aces.
The younger Bathurst selections bring some strong form to the table.
Broes has already racked up 200 runs in Bathurst District Cricket Association first grade this season. His St Pat’s Old Boys teammate Connor Slattery has bagged a pair of half centuries.
Ben Parsons, who returns for another Regional Bash run, has been a major bowling threat already this season in Western Zone Premier League and President’s Cup.
Powell enjoyed experience at the Under 19s State Challenge as a bottom-age player.
It makes for some impressive reading.
Powell hopes that form for the group can translate into the short format.
“It’s going to be a tough couple of games. It’s a good challenge as a bowler because you’ve only got a few overs to get them before they can go on a run,” he said.
“We obviously like to throw in more change-ups than we would in the longer formats. It’s nice to just rip in for four quick overs and see how you go.
“I think we’re in with a good chance … but I know the match against Orana will be a tough one.”
Qureshi will only play the opening match while Peacock will captain the team for games two and three.
The Wranglers open their campaign against Orana from 7pm on Saturday at Wade Park.