WAGGA City coach Rob Nicoll is confident the team's youngsters can lift in the absence of several key batsmen as they look to end South Wagga's unbeaten start to the season on Saturday.
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The defending premiers hammered the Cats all over McPherson Oval last week to post 2-287 declared, and managed to dismiss Tom Burge to have Wagga City teetering at 1-5 at stumps at the halfway mark of their two-day clash.
Wagga City will be missing batting regulars Josh Thompson, Mitch Cawley and Ben Turner, with teenage talents Ed Grigg and Blake Walker set to be elevated to fourth and fifth respectively in the order.
Nicoll, who will resume at five not out with brother Jon, believes the wicket is good enough to launch a serious assault on the run chase.
"The wicket's fantastic, their score last week reflects how good the pitch is as well," Nicoll said.
"We've posted some big scores at this ground already this year in one day cricket, so there's no reason why we can't chase down 290.
"We're missing three of the top five (of our batting order) at the moment, it's time for others to step up."
Nicoll said the situation is a huge chance for Grigg, 16, and Walker, 17, to show their credentials.
"Grigg's played mainly as a bowler so far but it's a good opportunity for those guys," Nicoll said.
"You always want to play the best sides to challenge themselves, and they're 2-0 lengths in front of everyone at the moment.
"There's definitely no excuses, I think we can get the runs.
"I won't be too disappointed though if we don't get the result, it's only November and you don't win premierships now."
Nicoll said he is keen to observe how well his team reacts after an extremely taxing day mentally and physically in the field last week.
"It will be good to see how some guys respond, because last Saturday was a very tough day," he said.
"You never enjoy days of cricket like that, we'll learn a lot from this game win, lose or draw.
"It's a situation where, because we're chasing so many runs, we'll bat towards about tea and sum up the situation then.
"We've got guys in the lower order who can hit the ball so, so we have to make sure we don't leave them too much to do and build a foundation."
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