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THE GDCA has named an under 18s side packed with bowling options to help combat the searing heat expected for Sunday’s Creet Cup day-nighter against West Wyalong.
Coach Ritchie Alvaro will have a wealth of young guns at his disposal for the clash at Exies Oval as his side looks to build on their recent breakthrough win over Griffith’s seniors.
Rep star Alex Flood will lead an attack featuring all three Peruzzi brothers – Daniel, Luke and Matt – as well as Hanwood paceman Tom West and talented tweaker Blake Ritorto.
And if that’s not enough, the likes of top-order batsmen Connor Matheson and Jimmy Binks are also more than capable with the ball.
“The thing is with the weather on Sunday, we’re probably going to need every single one of them,” Alvaro said.
“It is a good all-round attack, but I don’t think they’ll be bowling long spells, somehow.
“We have to see what happens. I think it’s going to be much hotter than last time, to be honest. Which is not good – but we’re playing cricket in summer, so you’ve got to accept it.”
The forecast high temperature is a scorching 43 degrees, adding another dimension to what was an already intriguing match-up against Creet Cup holders West Wyalong.
But a settled Griffith under 18s side is more than capable of kicking off a run of three Creet Cup games in three weeks with a win, ahead of dates against Lake Cargelligo and Leeton to follow after Sunday.
“They’re obviously a good team with players like Brett Davies, who played for NSW Country, Jesse Hampton, who can hit the ball a bit, and Colin Taylor, who's another junior rep player," Alvaro said.
"They've got quality there and they'll be very hard to beat, for sure."
Alvaro was reluctant to read too much into the impressive six-wicket win over the Griffith senior team, which was the first for the junior side since it entered the Creet Cup.
"It was good, but it's no real indicator as to how we're going," he said.
"Last year we didn't win a game but most of that team is still here and they've got an idea of what it's all about now.
"We've got a squad of 16 and to be honest, all of them are good enough.
"It's a pleasant situation to be in when you know if someone's not available, that you can bring in someone else who can do that job."
Michael McWhirter and Alex McMaster are likely to retain their positions atop the order with Fletcher Josling, Connor Matheson and Jimmy Binks rounding out a strong top five.
Alvaro is also eager to unleash leg-spinner Ritorto in what will be his first Creet Cup outing.
"If his confidence is up, he's really, really good - but leg-spin is a difficult art, as we all know," Alvaro said.
"He's a great option to have in there, just in case the pace isn't working.
"The good thing is he's only 17 so he's got another year in the Creet Cup after this one, too."
The match gets underway at 3pm on Sunday.
GRIFFITH UNDER 18s: Jimmy Binks, Thom Bristow, Alex Flood, Fletcher Josling, Connor Matheson, Alex McMaster, Michael McWhirter, Daniel Peruzzi, Luke Peruzzi, Matt Peruzzi, Blake Ritorto, Tom West.