The ACT Southern Districts team list for the upcoming Country Championships was revealed recently, and the Goulburn District Cricket Association has earned record representation in its ranks.
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Four current and former GDCA players will take to the field for the ACT Southern Districts during next weekend's pool matches in Goulburn: Brad Smith (Hibo Gold/Queanbeyan), Josh Watling (Workers Stags/Ginninderra), Andrew Tivey (Workers Stags) and Jock Cartwright (Crookwell).
Watling, who will also captain the side, said he is looking forward to the added responsibility.
"I'm excited, I captained the ACT side in the trial game last Sunday [against a combined Southern Tablelands and South East side], and that was enjoyable, figuring out the different tactics and stuff like that," Watling said.
"I got the captaincy in the [Ginninderra] first grade side for the first time last weekend as well, having a couple of games at that level will help as well."
Both Watling and Smith played important roles in the ACT Southern District's Country Championships victory last year, while this will be the first campaign for Tivey and Cartwright.
Despite their inexperience at this level, Watling is confident that both the GDCA newcomers will perform.
"Tivey's one of my best mates, I've played with him and against him for a lot of years now," Watling said.
"I know his cricket capability. He bowled unreal the other week, 6-36, he bowled himself into that side without a doubt.
"He's definitely been in and around the ACT rep stuff for the last few seasons, so he's definitely earned his selection.
"As for Jock, I've played with and against him for many years. He's a very destructive batsman, once he gets in and gets set, he can manipulate the field. He made a very hard-fought 50 the other week on a slow, low wicket at Jamison."
With a couple of exceptions, this year's ACT Southern Districts side is vastly different to the one which took the field in 2018.
At 31, and with three Country Championships campaigns behind him, few of the players will be older or more experienced than Watling, and he is happy to share his wisdom with the group.
"I can lead by example on and off the field," he said.
"Being 31, there's a couple of guys in the side who are only 19, 20, so helping them with whatever they need really [will be a goal].
"I know all the boys who are picked are capable of doing their job and putting their best foot forward. I've seen everybody in the side play and I've played against them."
Along with the captaincy and the key role he will play with the bat, Watling will also keep wicket for the ACT Southern Districts.
While this level of responsibility might be a burden to some, Watling believes it has helped his game.
"I kept, captained, and opened the batting for Ginninderra, it doesn't really seem to be affecting my game," he said.
"If anything, it's kind of the opposite. I forget about my job and focus on the team, and I think that's allowed me to be a bit more free with my batting."
While Watling crouches behind the stumps, Smith and Tivey are expected to form the bulwark of ACT Southern District's bowling lineup.
Both men are strong, accurate medium-pacers who hit the wicket hard and have a knack for picking up wickets.
After Tivey starred with his six-wicket haul in the selection match in Canberra on Sunday, October 20, Smith's own three-wicket effort was not overlooked by the selectors.
"I thought I bowled not too bad, I got a couple towards the end," Smith said.
"It was nice to bowl Joe Cooke, who plays first grade up here for Wests and is a very good bat, so that was satisfying.
"I think it was just a good team effort with the ball and in the field to build pressure and enable everyone to pick up a few wickets."
Though he is looking forward to the prospect of lifting another trophy with ACT Southern Districts, Smith said one of the most satisfying aspects of selection was taking the field alongside his mates.
"I think the team has more of a balance between ACT and the surrounding region, and it's certainly good to be playing with [Tivey] and Jock, as well as [Watling]," he said.
"It's really nice to have four Goulburn and Crookwell people in there."
The Country Championships will take place in Goulburn from November 8 to November 10. Matches will be played at Seiffert Oval and Prell Oval.
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