After narrowly missing last year’s final on quotient, Orange has just one goal leading into this weekend’s Mitchell Cricket Council Colts Carnival – regain the shield, which the Baby Bluebaggers last won in 2014-15.
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Orange coaches Max Dodds and Gerard Hannelly released their blockbuster squad for the three-day carnival on Wednesday morning, the side will start its campaign for redemption against last year’s finalists Mudgee at Mudgee on Friday.
Centrals’ Jack Dodds will skipper the 13-strong squad, which is bursting with Orange District Cricket Association first grade experience.
The likes of Dodds and his Centrals teammates Charlie Mortimer, CYMS’ Mick Hannelly and Kinross’ Fletcher Rose and Lance Hearn all have experience in Orange’s open side as well, giving the Baby Bluebaggers a huge boost.
“Winning the shield back is definitely our goal,” Max Dodds said.
“In the past the Baby Bluebaggers have been a huge part of Orange cricket’s success and we’re planning on bringing that success and winning attitude back with a new generation of players.
“The guys who have played in the opens side, these are the guys we want to lead from the front, especially Fletcher Rose. He’s had success at opens level already, so he’ll be our spearhead this year and hopefully for Orange for many years to come.”
The competition has dramatically changed format this summer, instead of regular round-robin games Mitchell made the call to change it a one-weekend carnival in a format similar to the old President’s Cup structure.
All four sides – Orange, Mudgee, Bathurst and the Blue Mountains – will have a home ground advantage at times, with the latter side playing its home games in Bathurst to gain more experience on turf wickets.
“The idea was floated last season, it’s about ensuring higher quality cricket because it’s easier to have guys commit for three days than weeks at a time, and it will also make it a bit more exciting at the same time,” Mitchell president Mark Frecklington said.
“Bathurst holds the trophy, so they will go in favourites but the Orange side is strong and last year’s games were all very competitive. It should be a good carnival.”
I love the carnival concept, it really gives the guys a chance to mould as a team and stick strong for a full weekend,” Dodds said.
“This year we really aim to bring some of the traditions from the past, the glory years when we pretty much never lost, back into the colts side.
“The idea is to emphasise the importance of the baggy blue cap and the hunger to get a win for their city, Orange, which they are representing.”
All the games kick off at 10am each day.
Orange will face Mudgee on day one before the Blue Mountains on day two, in Orange, and Bathurst in Bathurst on day three.
ORANGE: Jack Dodds ©, Zac Reimer, Charlie Mortimer (Centrals), Mick Hannelly, Tom Belmonte, Mitch Winslade (CYMS), Charlie Mitton, Tom Geyer, Donald Hearn, Lance Hearn, Fletcher Rose, Charlie Greer, Angus Cumming (Kinross)