A number of players from North Tamworth and West Tamworth, who Armidale actually knocked off, will feature in Tamworth’s second XI for Sunday’s Country Shield encounter at the Armidale Sportsground.

Armidale have named an almost unchanged first XI with the only change seeing Jock Cartwright dropping out and young quick Braden Graham coming in.

It may be Tamworth’s second XI, but it still features a number of the region’s best cricketers.

“I’ve seen their team and it’s pretty strong,” Armidale representative coordinator Brad King said.

“Ben Middlebrook is coming in off 180 last weekend and Aaron Hazelwood is a very good cricketer too.”

Hillgrove’s Matt Baillie will again skipper the Armidale side.

He, teammate Michael Dawson and City star Brad Smith will be called upon to anchor the batting line-up.

Baillie started to hit some form last weekend with a fine 44 against West Tamworth when wickets were tumbling at the other end.

“He’s a real confidence player,” King said of Baillie.

“He’s hitting the ball awesome in the nets, he just needs to take that into a game.”

Bowling is an area King indicated Armidale may struggle this representative season.

Easts skipper Sam Uphill and City and Central North quick Karl Triebe will have to take some vital scalps to give Armidale a chance of winning on Sunday.

Although the call-up of Graham will be a big boost according to King.