Sam can go the pace for Mitchell  

Fourteen teams will converge on Orange this week, and Ridley said his Mitchell team faces stiff competition.

Ridley is one of two Orange players to pull on the black cap, along with wicketkeeper Cooper Bingham.

“Our first game is against South Coast,” Ridley explained.

“They’ll be a good side, I know they’ve got one pretty quick bowler in their team. We play ACT on the second day and I think they’ll be pretty strong too.”

Mitchell also take on North Shore on the third day of competition, before the finals on Thursday.

Ridley paid tribute to his teammates, and said he expects Mitchell to be a serious title contender.

“We’re a good side,” he explained.

“We are more of a bowling side, but if we can put some runs on the board and most importantly bat out the 50 overs we should have the attack to bowl teams out.”

Ridley has had good preparation for the carnival, along with his regular Saturday morning junior cricket the quick was a part of the Orange Public School team which finished third in the NSW Primary School Sports Association State Knockout.

He also represented Western at the NSW PSSA State Championships.

“Playing in both those teams was really good experience,” he said.

“It was good to play against higher level teams and I think that was the main thing I learnt, how much higher the standard at that level is.”

Ridley is unsure of what role he’ll play for Mitchell.

Traditionally, Ridley has spearheaded the bowling attacks he has been a part of, however recently his ability with the willow in hand has been noticed.

“I went into the Western team expecting to be a bowler, and ended up a batsman,” he laughed.

“If that happens again I’ll just look to bat as long as I can, and put some runs on the board for the team.

“Really, I just want to get out there and represent Mitchell and help the boys get a couple of wins.”

Mitchell takes on South Coast today at Kinross Lower, with play starting at 10.30 am.