AT 16, Orange City medium pacer Braden Riles didn’t expect to work his way into Orange’s under 21s outfit so soon, if at all.
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But Riles, along with Cavaliers duo Matt Corben and Harry Taberner, is one of the big beneficiaries of a host of regular Orange colts either away or injured for this weekend’s round of the Mitchell Cricket Council colts premiership.
And Riles is ready to make the most of the opportunity, his first for Orange, when the defending MCC colts champions take to the road against Mudgee tomorrow.
“I found out (on Thursday) actually. It was a bit out of the blue I guess,” Riles said, having not originally been named in the 11-man squad picked to go to Mudgee.
One of the form bowlers in the council, Jono Warren, is out with a broken toe while Nick Roweth and Tom Harbison also pulled out during the week.
“It’s fairly exciting though,” Riles added.
“It’s a bit out of the blue. I’ve had my eye set on making the NSWCHS side in February, this has been a bit of a spur of the moment thing.”
A handy left-arm medium pacer, Riles also dabbles in a bit of left-arm orthodox spin bowling, mainly since he was selected to play for Western Region at the NSW Combined High Schools championship last year.
With little opportunity so far this season in the Orange District Cricket Association senior grades, Riles numbers aren’t all that impressive.
But his work with both the ball and the bat throughout 2011-12 prove Riles will be a more than handy acquisition for Orange tomorrow.
Admittedly, Riles wasn’t 100 per cent sure on what his role in Orange’s colts side will be.
And given the likes of first grade regulars Hamish Finlayson, Liam Gough, James Ryan and Stu Naden are in the side, the opportunity to gain valuable experience will be Riles’ main ambition.
“That’s what it’s all about, especially with the guys we have in the side and me being only young,” he said.
Orange won its first game of the 2012-13 MCC season against the Blue Mountains, enjoyed the bye in round two and after tackling Mudgee, will play Bathurst (away) and Lithgow (home) later this month.
Play begins tomorrow at 10am in Mudgee.
ORANGE: Hamish Finlayson (c - CYMS), John Warrington (vc - CYMS), Liam Gough (Cavaliers) James Ryan (Cavaliers), Adam Cowden (Orange City), Stu Naden (Orange City), Max Dodds (Kinross), Matt Corbin (Cavaliers), Jake Pauletto (Centrals), Braden Riles (Orange City), Harry Taberner (Cavaliers).
