TRENT Colley is looking forward to Orange’s first representative outing of the cricket season this Sunday.
Orange will field a new-look side to take on Mudgee in the opening Western Premier League match of the season.
Colley will captain the team which includes a mix of youth and experience.
This season the Orange District Cricket Association has adopted a squad approach to the representative side and they have already been in training for a few weeks.
“We’re trying to build a culture this year where we have the same side all the time,” Colley said.
“We’ve got a squad this season, not just a team. We’re trying to incorporate a lot of the success of the under 21s in the squad.
“The selectors have done a good job with the side.”
There are some familiar faces in Sunday’s team with former representative players Lincoln Duncan and Josh Sands returning to Orange and the side.
Duncan has been playing in Newcastle as a wicketkeeper and will pull on the gloves for Orange with last season’s keeper Nick Dunlop unavailable this year due to work.
“It’s definitely an important position - wicketkeeper/bat,” Colley said.
“He (Duncan) was the Mitchell wicketkeeper/bat before he went to Newcastle and I think he played Western Zome colts too.”
Two-time defending ODCA first grade premiers Centrals are not represented in the Orange team but Colley said the players had ruled themselves out due to work and other commitments.
The ODCA celebrated its centenary in the 2011-12 season but the Orange rep team didn’t have much to celebrate with one win.
Colley said with a new approach in 2012-13, he’s hoping for better results.
“It’s a new century. It’s a fresh start. Hopefully we’ll build some good results,” he said.
Matt Findlay is in doubt for Sunday’s game so young guns John Warrington and Charles Litchfield will open the batting against Mudgee at Orange Ex-Services Country Club Oval from 10am.
ORANGE: Trent Colley (c), Dave Boundy, James Conn, Luke Clarke, Lincoln Duncan, Matt Findlay, Hamish Finlayson, Clint Grambeau, Charles Litchfield, Chris Novak, Josh Sands, John Warrington, Nick Wright.