Ray’s injury woes

INJURY concerns could see changes made to the Orange squad for Sunday’s SCG Country Cup opener against Blue Mountains.

Selectors named a 13-man squad over the weekend for Orange’s sudden death match at Wade Park and star batsman Ray Doolan is in doubt after sustaining a shoulder injury last Saturday against Centrals.

He has a grade one ligament strain and thinks it will be “touch and go” if he is to take his place against Blue Mountains.

Doolan’s absence would be a big loss to the Orange top order as Nathan Rosser is already unavailable this weekend, so the possible added loss of Doolan would see two of Orange’s most prolific run scorers out for the must-win game.

Chairman of selectors Gary Colley said selectors will keep abreast of injury developments this week to gauge whether changes need to be made.

“We haven’t ruled him out yet, but it (could have) a big impact on our batting order,” Colley said of injured Doolan.

Leg-spinner Nathan Payne is another injury concern after he picked up an ankle injury while fielding for Orange City on Friday night in their Royal Hotel Cup loss to Kinross Wolaroi School.

Payne will inform selectors tomorrow whether he is fit enough to play on Sunday, with young Centrals spinner Matt Wellar included in the 13-man squad as cover.

Meanwhile, reigning Orange Cricketer of the Year Chris Tremain will miss the Blue Mountains clash as he continues preparing for Higher School Certificate exams.

Schoolmate and fellow Kinross quick Jackson Coote will play despite also being in year 12, while selectors are happy for Tremain to concentrate on his studies.

Nick Dunlop has been named wicketkeeper for Orange, with Lincoln Duncan not donning the gloves for Waratahs last Saturday.

Mick Walker has also been picked to return to the Orange team after coming back to play for Centrals following six years in England.

Walker has scored 129 runs in three innings so far this season, including 79 last Saturday against Waratahs in first grade, and this has enhanced his value in the selectors’ eyes.

“He got some runs at the weekend and prior to going away he would have been ranked as one of our best players in Orange,” Colley said.

Orange play Blue Mountains in the second round of the SCG Country Cup as all Western Zone teams received first round byes.

Making the final 16 teams in the state-wide competition is a big goal for Orange this season as they are yet to progress that far in the competition.

Orange will host the final eight carnival of the SCG Country Cup in December.

ORANGE: Trent Colley (c), Matt Findlay, Ray Doolan, Mick Walker, Richie Venner, Stu Middleton, Josh Sands, Nick Dunlop, Nathan Payne, Dave Boundy, Jackson Coote, Andrew Rutledge, Matt Wellar.