City United’s star recruit Josh Trappel makes his return to Maitland cricket on Saturday on day one of the two-day fixture against first grade competition newcomers Port Stephens Pythons at Robins Oval.
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Trappel’s brother and City captain Matt said Josh had served a suspension which carried over from the Newcastle competition and was right to play.
Josh and wicket keeper batsman Matt Latham, who were unavailable last week, come into the team at the expense of Jason Morris and highly talented 15-year-old Cameron Wynn.
“We will be full strength this round which is good to give us an idea of where we are at. Unfortunately, Jason and Cam had to make way this week but they will get more chances during the season,” the skipper said.
Matt said he was looking forward to the side’s first official hit-out on Saturday, after their round-one game against Kurri Weston was washed out.
He said the unknown quantity of Port Stephens gave the game added interest as the Pythons would be looking to start well, particularly in the two-day format.
“Port have been the dominant side of A-grade cricket for a number of years now, and we don’t have any real form guide against them,” he said.
“The last thing we will be doing is underestimating them.
“I think it’s a good thing for us not knowing much about them. It allows us to go back and just concentrate on what we need to focus on.
“It’s a good opportunity to bat our 80 overs and spend some time in the middle at the start of the year.
“We had a good side last year and I was confident of improvement this season before Josh decided to come back.
“But you definitely can’t rely on one player to get the job done for you.
“Josh will be bowling and batting, but I think the biggest boost will be in our batting at the top of the order
“We were guilty of not batting out our 80 overs too often last season and suffering collapses after being in good positions.”
On paper City had one of the best batting line-ups in the competition but too often were unable to stick together in match-winning partnerships.
“We probably were reliant on one or two players making all the runs rather everyone contributing to building the innings,” Matt said.
“Nearly all of us had a big score in one game or another but we weren’t consistent enough as a team.
“This year we are concentrating on getting starts and consolidating them as we bat all the way down the order.
“It is really important that we have four or five players step up this year and score runs consistently.
“Our bowling and playing as a team in the field got us to the finals last year and I think we will be a better team this year.”
Matt is expecting big season from middle-order batsmen Michael Heinrich and Anru Kriel.
Ricky Dent will open the batting with Jordan Burton, with Josh Trappel at No.3 and Matt at No.4.
The bowling stocks were already strong and Matt said paceman Tim Baker looked in great nick going into the season after some excellent bowling for the Hunter Hitmen.
“The reports I heard was that Tim bowled very well and it’s great to see him get an opportunity to play at that level as he is an excellent bowler,” he said.
Northern Suburbs will be boosted by the inclusion of all-rounders Lincoln Mills and Jordan Callinan for their clash against Eastern Suburbs at Lorn Park.
Norths skipper Mike Wilson highlighted teenager Logan Smith as one of his key players this season and he would have been delighted with his form for the Hunter Hitmen.
Smith top scored with 32 opening the batting against Lake Mac Attack.
The Griffins will be banking on young talent of their own naming teenagers Lachie Ballard, Lachlan Wishart, Jesse Budden and Will Stoneman.
Co-captains Jack Bennett and Trent Park still have experience to call on with Brendan Allan and Josh Hicks.
Kurri Weston have also named a highly-talented batch of teenagers with Isaac Barry and Beau Parnell picked to make their debuts for the Warriors joining their Central North teammate Jack Sylvester.
The Warriors travel to Coronation Oval to face a Western Suburbs team starting life this season without the competition’s premier batsman Aaron Mahony and Luke Merchant.
In the final first grade fixture Thornton and Raymond Terrace meet at King Park. Thornton are notoriously bad starters to the season and the defending premiers are without Jacob Page and Shannon and Aaron Bills.