Crookwell batsman Jock Cartwright is one of the four Goulburn District Cricket Association players who was recently named in the ACT Southern Districts side for the Country Championships.
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Cartwright will join three other current and former GDCA players on the field for the ACT Southern Districts during this weekend's pool matches in Goulburn: Brad Smith (Hibo Gold/Queanbeyan), Josh Watling (Workers Stags/Ginninderra), Andrew Tivey (Workers Stags).
Watling, who will also captain the side, gave glowing reviews of Cartwright and Tivey, who were both selected for the first time.
"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."
Watling added that he was "excited" to take on the captaincy duties for the first time.
"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.
With a couple of exceptions, this year's ACT Southern Districts side is vastly different to the one which took the field in 2018.
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.
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.