Big hitters to lead North Coast at country cricket titles

NORTH Coast has selected a strong group of players with an emerging crop of young talent to contest the Regional Bash and NSW Country Cricket Championships.

The competition will be played across the Central Coast and Newcastle over four days from November 27.

There is a change in format this year, with Cricket NSW combining two tournaments.

The team includes developing players such as Tintenbar-East Ballina teenager Kai Dalli, while Tweed’s Tom Byrnes will bring fresh energy to the batting order.

“A squad of 16 players from across the zone have been selected to cover both T20 and 50-over formats,” a team spokesperson said.

“This strong group of players presents an exciting opportunity for North Coast to make a genuine push for the title.”

The team will be coached by Jeff Cook, Simon Peddle and Pat Rosser.

Rosser has plenty of experience as a former NSW Country and Australian Country representative.

He was also one of the top performers for the NSW team at the National Indigenous Cricket Championship and was the Far North Coast LJ Hooker League player of the year.

The North Coast team will be captained by Cudgen top-order batsmen Alec Williams.

He has represented NSW Country in the past and is one of the leading run-scorers in the local competition.

He will be joined by Cudgen teammate Caleb Ziebell, who is a former NSW Country representative and player of the year.

The side will have strike power and big game experience with the addition of brothers Ben and Jack Cooper from Goonellabah Workers Sports.

Ben has national experience playing in T20 matched with the Netherlands, while Jack is one of the biggest hitters in the competition.

He scored 73 not out from just 22 balls in a 40-over game this season and 99 not out in a rain-affected match.

The squad also includes Daniel Adelt, Lachlan Barnes, Darren Bourke, Dan Craig, Kai Dalli, James Julius, Ryan Kernaghan, Cal McKiernan, Tyh Murphy and Ben Pierce.