Cricket’s ‘Generation Next’ will look to make a mark on the Border this week.
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Cricket Albury-Wodonga will host the under 16 Bradman Cup and under 14 Kookaburra Cup.
It’s the first time a regional city has hosted the two competitions at the same time.
“It’s the best players in regional NSW at those age levels,” Cricket NSW Country Programs Manager Bruce Whitehouse said.
“Kids are being watched but at 16, they can make a statement.”
Kids are being watched but at 16, they can make a statement.
- Bruce Whitehouse
Boom NSW batsman Jason Sangha, who’s been tipped as a future Australian star, played Bradman Cup for Newcastle just a few years ago.
“There would be up to 20 kids from the Bradman Cup teams who would play Green Shield in Sydney,” Whitehouse said of the raft of talented teenagers.
“Sydney grade clubs go headhunting and they get the best of the country kids.”
Green Shield is the metropolitan’s elite under 16 competition, while Bradman Cup is the regional equivalent.
There’s eight country zones for the two age groups, including Riverina.
Three CAW players will represent at Bradman Cup level – St Patrick’s all-rounder Liam Parkinson, New City all-rounder Coby Fitzsimmons and East Albury wicketkeeper-batsman Miles Hemann Petersen.
There’s four players in the Kookaburra Cup – Lavington duo Jordan Rhodes and Oscar Lyons, Corowa’s Ethan Hanrahan and New City’s Dominic McCrohan.
Riverina will open its campaign in the junior grade against defending champions Western at Billson Park on Monday, while the senior group will also tackle the powerful Western at Lavington Sportsground.
Central Coast claimed last year’s under 16 crown.
The Bradman Cup will have three 50-over games, with two T20 matches on Wednesday.
The Kookaburra Cup will have three 40-over games, with its two T20 fixtures on Tuesday.
Play runs until Thursday.
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