AUSTRALIAN cricketing fast bowler Pat Cummins put young Armidale cricketers through their paces last Thursday at the Armidale Sportsground running Cricket NSW’s Country Blitz Tour along with NSW player Ben Dwarshuis.
Pat and Ben ran sessions on bowling, fielding and batting with the assistance of regional development manager Kathy Barber from Tamworth and local coaches.
Pat Cummins received his Australian baggy green cap from Ricky Ponting in South Africa as an 18-year-old just two years ago, and was on hand after the clinics, along with NSW Blues’ Ben Dwarshuis, to present local junior rep players with their representative caps.
After receiving his cap from Pat Cummins, under-12s player Ben Hamilton said, “It was the best moment of my life!”
The players posed for photographs and signed autographs before joining the Armidale juniors for a barbecue.
The local junior representative season kicks off in two weeks’ time when Armidale hosts Coffs Harbour in its annual Sportspower Surf ‘n’ Turf junior rep competition.
In the middle weekend of the school holidays many Armidale players are involved, as members of Northern Tablelands sides, in the Central North Invitational Carnival in Tamworth.
Incoming Junior President Michael Dennis is looking forward to a busy season with strong interest from players at both representative and club level.
“It is envisaged that all under-16s games will be played on Monday nights this season, while all other junior games will be held on Saturday mornings,” Mr Dennis said.
Club registrations will be held on Saturday 14 September with the local club competition commencing in October. Players are urged to contact their local club for details of registration, or check the Armidale Cricket website for more information.
