DESPITE selectors not naming the 2014-15 Mitchell Cricket Council side for another two weeks, Bathurst and Blue Mountains players are expected to dominate the team after both sides scored two wins in the President’s Cup carnival over the weekend.
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Playing at Jack Brabham Park, Bathurst and Blue Mountains both scored victories over Mudgee and Orange.
Bathurst won out over Mudgee by 235 runs on Saturday before taking care of Orange by 69 runs yesterday. On day one, Blue Mountains scored a 79 run win over Orange before demolishing Mudgee yesterday by six wickets.
Orange boasted five Mitchell representatives last season, but aside from Jackson Coote reaffirming his position as one of the premier quicks in the council with two typically miserly performances with the ball, only opening bat Charles Litchfield really stood up.
Litchfield scored a well constructed 37 against Blue Mountains on Saturday and backed it up with a strong 75 on Sunday against Bathurst.
Traditionally the Mitchell team is named directly after the carnival, however chairman of selectors Neil Doherty confirmed his selection panel will delay the announcement to allow time for consideration.
Several players put their hand up, performance wise, for Mitchell but none more so than Bathurst opener Joey Coughlan - after scoring just 11 on day one Coughlan plundered an unbeaten 114 not out against Orange on Sunday, virtually guaranteeing his black cap.
“It was a good knock, getting a Mitchell spot again was definitely a goal coming into the carnival,” Coughlan, a Mitchell incumbent having represented last season, said.
“I knew I had to score a few after the first day, but I felt good on day one so I was confident. I’ve done all I can though so fingers crossed I get a run.”
Of Bathurst’s other best performers Ben Orme belted 68, and paceman Aaron Seymour staked his claim with 5-15 on day one against Mudgee, and Callum Hotham worked his way to 58 against Orange on Sunday.
Blue Mountains batsman Alex Crowther threw his name in the hat with two innings of 38 and 79, as did Sam Trankle who remained unbeaten for the entire weekend with 61 and 24 not out.
Mudgee’s James O’Brien and Steve Knight were Mudgee’s best, scoring 92 and 89 yesterday respectively.
Mitchell will take on Valleys - Macquarie Valley and Lachlan Valley councils combined - in a Western Zone selection match at Wade Park on November 15.
