Tim Rand has been forced to make some changes ahead of the SCG Cup clash with Murray Valley
GRIFFITH SCG Cup selectors have been forced to make several changes to the side to take on Murray Valley in the first round of the competition at Exies No. 2 on Sunday.
Theo Valeri and Justin and Jamie Winkler withdrew from the side earlier this week with Tom Valeri, who was originally picked in the starting XI, Shaun Stubbs and Alex Tucker coming into the side.
Selector Tim Rand said despite the interruptions, he was confident the side named would be able to to do the job, pointing to the injection of youth into the team.
Rand added they have the chance to jump the selection queue ahead of several other senior stars who will be sitting out this weekend including Coro's Paul Plummer, Yenda's Tom Spry and the Diggers' Tom Webb.
"There's a lot of young blokes in the side, which personally I find exciting, they're a lot keener in the field and they bring good habits," Rand said.
"They have the opportunity this weekend, if they go out there and perform well no matter what the result is on the weekend, then it'll give us a something to think about for the next game we play
which is exactly what we want."
Griffith has had a below par two years in the representative scene, with talented sides often not living up to their potential.
However, a young put up a strong fight in last year's SCG Cup where they were defeated by a strong Albury-Wodonga outfit by five wickets.
Rand said selectors and the Griffith District Cricket Association sat down in the off-season and made a commitment to put the city's name back up in lights in the representative scene.
Helping Griffith's chances this weekend are several young stars who have showed solid form over the opening of the local season, with Diggers' all-rounder Jarrod Cahill impressing.
Pace ace Chris Mansell earnt a place in the side on the back of his 5-28 off 10 against Hanwood last weekend and he will share the new ball with Cahill.
Another quick that has earnt a call-up through his weight of wickets is Cougars' swing-bowler Satvir Chahal, who was tidy in taking 2-19 off seven in Griffith's big Creet Cup win against Ardlethan/Barellan last weekend.
"He's played really well for all of last year and he's picked up where he left off this year so he will bowl first-change, so we've still got a good team, hopefully we're competitive on the day," Rand said of Chahal.
Griffith will tackle Murray Valley at Exies No. 2 on Sunday with play starting from 10.30am.
Griffith SCG Cup team
To play Murray Valley at Exies No. 2 on Sunday
Tim Rand
Patrick Whittard (wk)
Haydn Pascoe
Tom Valeri
Shaun Stubbs
Alex Tucker
Fletcher Josling
Marc Tucker (c)
Tom Shannon
Jarrod Cahill
Chris Mansell
Satvir Chahal
