Western Zone, meet James Larkin.
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In his first appearance since moving to Orange the former Sydney University skipper announced himself at Wade Park on Saturday, punching out a near-flawless half-ton to pilot Central West's first-up Cricket NSW Plan B Regional Bash win over Orana.
Although unsighted by most Larkin landed with big raps after inspiring Sydney Uni's NSW Premier Cricket Second Grade title with a stunning, unbeaten grand final ton last summer and he lived up to his reputation with a 49-ball knock of 71 against the Outlaws.
He did the bulk of the damage in his Wranglers' 6-165 before Central West rolled Orana for 145 to pick up a 20-run win and head into Sunday's second day of the Thunder Conference South Coast Pool games in good stead.
I hit them alright, it was a nice flat wicket and a fast outfield so that always helps.
- Central West bat James Larkin
"It was good, I hit them alright, it was a nice flat wicket and a fast outfield so that always helps," Larkin said, after hitting 10 boundaries in his dig.
"There's certainly no disappointment I didn't get a ton it's Twenty20 after all, and I'm not fit enough. If I was a bit fitter maybe but I was about to fall over when I was walking off.
"It was good though, I'm really looking forward to [Sunday] and then getting back here with Kinross in the [Orange District Cricket Association's top grade]."
The challenge is backing that dig up, and hopefully leading the Wranglers to two more victories over the South Coast and Illawarra on Sunday and with them a finals berth at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
"That'll be the goal, I'd love to get a few more down there at Wollongong," Larkin said with his side set to hit the road not long after Saturday's win.
"I thought 165 was a pretty good target but it was tough to defend on such a flat wicket, with such a fast outfield. In the end they only need about a run-a-ball for the last few overs so maybe we even got away with that one a little bit.
"The guys bowled well in the last couple of overs and we picked up those few wickets though, it was good to get that result in the end."
Considering how classy his dig was on Saturday, there was plenty on hand at Wade Park who had no issues suggesting if Larkin's early-season form continues he just might bat his way into a Western Zone cap for this summer's Country Cricket NSW Championship too.
"I'd love to play for Western if I was batting well enough and got picked," Larkin enthused, with that tournament kicking off early next month.
"We'll see how we go though, I'm looking forward to getting stuck in with Kinross once this tournament's done anyway."
Central West face the South Coast Crew from 9.30am at Shellharbour's Tom Willoughby Oval on Sunday before taking on the Illawarra Flames at Albion Park's Keith Grey Oval from 1.30pm.
The Outlaws play the Flames first-up on Sunday at Keith Grey Oval from 9.30am, before playing the Crew at Tom Willoughby Oval from 1.30pm.
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