MANLY will be buoyed by the inclusion of Jay Lenton ahead of their two-day tussle against UNSW starting this morning in Kensington.
NSW selectors opted to hand the wicketkeeping duties to Ryan Carters, with the Blues taking on Queensland up north in a four-day clash from tomorrow.
Manly captain Adam Crosthwaite expects Lenton to bounce back quickly.
“Obviously he is disappointed, but there is no point dwelling on the situation,’’ he said.
“Jay is our club captain, and his attitude all week at training has been first class.
“I think it was a tough call (to drop Lenton), but I am looking forward to his response behind the stumps and with the bat.”
English import Nathan Buck has also been drafted into the Waratahs XI, a straight swap for fellow quick Matt White.
It is Buck’s second stint with Manly, and after rediscovering his bearings in second grade the past couple of rounds, he is ready to steam in with the cherry.
“Bucky is a class player, I am delighted to see him back,’’ Crosthwaite added.
“On his day he is capable of running through a batting line-up. Back home he struggled with a few injuries, mainly a side strain, so we just have to manage his workload.
“He offers us plenty, hopefully he gets a few wickets if we are in the field.”
Coach Shawn Bradstreet and all-rounder Ahillen Beadle won’t be at Village Green. The pair are in New Zealand for a training camp with Sydney Thunder ahead of the T20 Big Bash League starting on December 17.
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