BATTING depth and the right mix of veteran and rising stars.
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That’s what can take the Central West Wranglers to the top of their pool at this weekend’s Regional Big Bash League Thunder Conference carnival in Bathurst, according to team manager Ian Strudwick.
Bathurst players make up the majority of the Wranglers squad and feature prominently in a young bowling attack for the two matches at the Sportsground.
Adam Ryan, Ben Mitchell, Nic Broes, Ben Parsons, Matt Stephen and Connor Slattery will line up in Saturday’s meeting with arch rivals Orana Outlaws.
Ryan, Mitchell, Broes and Slattery will back up for Sunday’s meeting with unknown quantity Illawarra Flames. Jameel Qureshi and Tanvir Singh come into the Wranglers lineup.
Mitchell and Singh are still fresh of their recent Under 17s National Championships campaign in Queensland.
Strudwick likes what he sees in his Wranglers squad.
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“We’re feeling quietly confident. We’ve got a great mix of youth and experienced players. After being washed out last year we’re looking forward to having a crack,” he said.
“There’s a lot of young bowlers and a couple of them coming back from Australian Championships, which is helpful.
“There’s no real standouts in what’s a good, balanced team.”
Rain prevented Wranglers from enjoying any game time last season in Orange. It handed the Outlaws a free pass through courtesy of their superior finish in the previous competition.
Wranglers are still seeking their first ever Regional Big Bash win.
Such a high-level regional competition early in the season could give the Wranglers a chance to strike before their opponents’ rust has been shaken off.
“Everyone hasn’t had too much time in the middle so we’ll get out there and have a go,” Strudwick said.
“Orana we have a good idea idea about but we don’t know much about Illawarra. South Coast pulled out because they couldn’t get players together.
“Most of the Dubbo-based players in that Orana team we’ve played against or have played alongside in Western Zone.”
Strudwick said there’s reliability with the willow from one through to 11 in the Wranglers lineup.
“It’s a well-rounded batting lineup and we bat all the way to the bottom, plus there’s bowlers who can do the business for us,” he said.
“We’re looking for big things from Ben Mitchell and Tanvir Singh, plus we will probably use Nic Broes as a change spinner.
“There’s a few guys coming off decent results on the weekend. Matt Corben scored some runs for Orange. There’s big hitters from Lithgow, the Gurney boys and Ben Sheehan, who have won the Bonnor Cup before.”
Outlaws and Wranglers open the pool’s play from 2pm on Saturday.
Wranglers will get to watch Orana and Illawarra face off on 9.30am Sunday before the Central West men play the Flames at 1.30pm.