Player availability and the Stribley Shield final will put Wagga’s depth to the test when they host the final O’Farrell Cup challenge of the season at Robertson Oval on Sunday.
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Talented Wagga RSL all-rounder Sam Perry will step up and captain Wagga’s O’Farrell Cup team in the absence of regular skipper Joel Robinson.
Robinson, Brayden Ambler, Jimmy Richards and Angus McLay all go out of the Wagga team that won the O’Farrell Cup back with a two-wicket win over Leeton last Sunday.
At this stage, Todd Henderson, Will Morley and Macgregor Hanigan come in.
Perry said the player shortage is unfortunate after such an encouraging performance last week.
“It’s not ideal, especially after last week and the way we performed,” Perry said.
“Everyone chipped away and did what we had to do. I know Josh Staines got 50, and Jake Hindmarsh got five wickets, but there was no real individual standouts. It was a good team performance.
“This week it all changes around and it does test our depth a bit. The Stribley final definitely doesn’t help our side but hopefully we can show how strong Wagga cricket can be, or should be.”
Perry said it would mean a great deal if Wagga were to retain the Cup over the winter’s break. He also hopes it could reignite the fire inside Wagga cricketers.
“We held it two years ago over the winter’s break and it meant a lot, there was a lot of passion in Wagga cricket to hold it,” he said.
“If we can hold it, hopefully it helps attract a few players back into rep cricket and bring back a bit more passion for Wagga cricket.”
Perry expects Holbrook to be ‘pretty handy’ and that Wagga won’t be taking them lightly.
Holbrook will be captained by experienced Osborne cricketer Darren Howard.
Meantime, Wagga will take on Yass in the Stribley Shield final at McPherson Oval.
O’Farrell Cup teams
Wagga: Sam Perry (c), Michael Mitchell, James Evans, Josh Staines, Joe Kenny, Nathan Cooke, Jake Hindmarsh, Todd Henderson, Will Morley, Macgregor Hanigan, TBA.
Holbrook: Darren Howard (c), Luke Richardson, Nick Perryman, Ed Perryman, Andrew Mackinlay, Will Heriot, Robbie Mackinlay, Hamish Mackinlay, Corey McCarthy, Cooper Walsh, Chris Manns, Ryan Kirkwood