Have a crack, perform well and hopefully help Western improve on last year’s fourth finish.
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That’s what CYMS opening bat Mick Hannelly is hoping he and clubmate Mitch Winslade can do for Western at this weekend’s McDonald’s NSW Country Colts carnival at Dubbo.
It’ll be both Hannelly and Winslade’s debut in Western colours at the colts level, but it’s also the former’s maiden Zone cap and it comes after a couple of bumper seasons for the green and golds – which culminated in last year’s Orange District Cricket Association first grade title.
Winslade on the other hand has played for Western in junior cricket. The side was named after a couple of training sessions and while Winslade originally missed out, he was drafted into the side earlier this week to replace Blue Mountains gun Ned Pearson-Burke.
“It’s nice to have a fellow Orange, and CYMS, player in the side. Mitchy has been very good in the few seasons, he deserved the call-up,” Hannelly said.
“I’ve only ever been picked in squads before, I’ve never been a part of any Western Zone side proper so it’s really exciting for me.
“We had a training run and were supposed to play Gordon in a trial game but it washed out, which was a bit disappointing.
“I wasn’t sure about how I went in the training run and whether it would be enough to get me selected or not.”
Western will play Newcastle, North Coastal and Southern/ACT on Friday, Saturday and Sunday respectively in their bid to win the championship, while individuals will be searching for NSW Country spots.
“Making a Western Zone side has been a goal of mine for some time now, so I’m excited to head up to Dubbo for the carnival but I’m not thinking about (any further honours),” Hannelly said.
“Obviously all Mitch and I can do is play to our strengths and hopefully contribute to a few wins, a NSW Country spot is a long shot for me though I think considering the talent around but I’ll give it a crack and see how I go.”
The side will be skippered by Bathurst’s Tom Galvin, who will enjoy having Dubbo’s Marty Jeffrey as his deputy.
Hannelly is expected to slot into Western’s top order and could potentially take the wicketkeeping duties at some stage as well, while Winslade is expected to play as an all-rounder.
On the flat, road-like tracks of Dubbo his ability to swing the ball will be huge.