Mitchell expects to lift trophy

MENTAL preparation will be key to a new-look Cricket Far North open side bringing home the Fred Jacobsen Trophy this weekend.

The Open, under-21 and under-18 teams have made the nine-hour long haul by road to Mackay for the final chapter of the North Queensland Zone Championships, an ending head coach Rhys Mitchell expects to be a happy one.

Forced changes could tamper with the balance that proved so successful against Townsville two weeks ago, but he backed Tully opener Rhys Camilleri, Rovers all-rounder Daniel Kearney and Mulgrave bowler Wade Matthews to step up in the absence of Tom Lever, Brendan Smith and Paul Carbone.

“I would have liked to stay with the same team but it is what it is,” Mitchell said.

“The guys who are coming in, they’re not selected because they’re second best, they’ve been selected because they’re good enough.”

Camilleri may not have the runs on the board, but the coach said the technical ability was there.

Mitchell said he was a player of the future who just needed one innings to have that “Aha” moment. “Like a few young players, he’s got the ability. He just needs a bit of confidence,” he said.

Mitchell was adamant the new faces and travel would not conspire against his side, who must beat Central Queensland today to return the Fred Jacobsen Trophy to Cairns.

“I don’t think it’s really going to be an issue. The preparation has gone pretty well as far as our form is concerned and I’ve worked pretty hard with them on the mental side of the game,” he said.

“I’ve got strategies in place for all the (CQ) guys. Each of our players knows who to target and how to bowl at their target.”

Central Queensland have also been forced into a number of changes for the final weekend and Mitchell was confident his reconnaissance would pay off.

Despite fears he would miss the weekend through injury, fast bowler Kyll Wright will take his place in the side.