South Tamworth captain Mitch Smith was keen to deflect the attention away from Josh Attard when the teenage quick opened the bowling for Souths in their round-one clash against Old Boys this season.
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Smith emphasised Attard’s age for wanting to shield him from the media (the 16-year-old will enter Year 11 at Carinya Christian School this year).
After debuting in first grade, at Souths, as a 15-year-old in 2017, Attard has shouldered a lot more responsibility this season.
He has been used primarily as an opening bowler, and has taken five wickets in 10 matches at an average of 25.80 and with a best of 2-33.
When Souths’ No.1 bowler, Bush Blues paceman Tom O’Neill, has been absent, Attard has headed the attack.
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He hopes that extra experience will be put to good use when he lines up for Central North in the under-16 Bradman Cup, which starts in Albury Wodonga on Monday.
Attard played in the Central North side who finished second last at the 2018 Bradman Cup.
He said last year’s side also arrived at the tournament “fairly confident”.
“And we didn’t perform as well as we would have liked to,” he said.
“I feel as though we’ve got a good chance this year. We’ve got a young side with lots of talent.
“I think we can go all the way.”
Central North includes Tamworth players Callum Henry, who recently made the ACT/NSW under-15 side, Jack Hamilton and Kilian Apen, Armidale’s Cotter Litchfield, Gunnedah’s Zac Clarke and Narrabri’s Dylan Smith.
City United first-grade quick Joey Mead will captain the side.
Attard, in his last year of Bradman Cup eligibility, said the side was “pretty evenly mixed” with older and younger players “full of talent”.
“He’s [Henry] very handy with the gloves and the bat,” Attard said.
Central North’s first game is against North Coast on Monday.
