Some of Tamworth’s best young cricketers have been give a "surreal” motivational boost ahead of Sunday’s rep cricket carnival at Riverside – a surprise encounter with the Bendemeer Bullet, Josh Hazelwood.
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![BULLET TIME: Test vice-captain Josh Hazlewood and Tamworth rep cricketers. “It was fantastic – the look on their faces." BULLET TIME: Test vice-captain Josh Hazlewood and Tamworth rep cricketers. “It was fantastic – the look on their faces."](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/KUhQizDbwW8WqAyPP4x5yp/a7818662-5ad1-46ed-aebc-c0ef50d632ee.jpeg/r0_0_640_360_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The Australian vice-captain was on hand to present each of the under-12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 players with their new playing shirt and cap, and spoke about how his journey from standout country cricketer to Test fast bowling spearhead began when he was a youngster playing in carnivals like this one.
“It was fantastic – the look on their faces,” said Don Lewington, Tamworth junior cricket coaching coordinator. “None of them knew about it. It was a surprise for all bar three people in the room.
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“It was excellent. Not only for the kids, but the adults certainly got a buzz out of it as well … having Josh there was the icing on the cake.
“He spoke very well. He spoke about his time when he was an 11 or 12-year-old boy starting to play Tamworth rep cricket. So it was very surreal for the boys, and a great opportunity for everyone.”
He spoke very well. He spoke about his time when he was an 11 or 12-year-old boy starting to play Tamworth rep cricket. So it was very surreal for the boys, and a great opportunity for everyone.
- Don Lewington
Sunday’s annual under-12, 14 and 16 Northern Inland carnival features Tamworth Gold and Tamworth Blues, Narrabri, Gunnedah, Armidale and Inverell sides.