Nathan Trindall determined to lead by example during Pink Slugs’ MA Connolly Cup title defence

Captaincy has come calling for one of Narrabri’s favourite sons and it was only a matter of time.

Nathan Trindall is the son of Jason Trindall, who is one of Narrabri’s top bowlers in recent history and a two-time Nowling Cup-winning captain who is currently enjoying a milestone season – his 40th as a cricketer in Narrabri.

The celebrations continued for the Trindall family last week when Nathan was given the nod to captain the Narrabri District Cricket Association’s first XI during its MA Connolly Cup defence in the 2022/23 campaign.

“It was really good. I really enjoyed it,” the 24-year-old said of his first game in charge on Sunday.

“There’s a few older blokes there as well that gave me some guidance out there.

“You always try your hardest for the team, but as a captain, I want to stand out and take a bit more responsibility to drive the team than normal.

“I really tried to push the talk in the field more to try and get momentum going out there.”

Trindall is a two-time War Vets Cup winner and was a key member of the NDCA’s 2021/22 season MA Connolly Cup-winning team earlier this year.

In that final on home soil at Collins Park against Quirindi in February, he took a wicket in the second over of the game before his second wicket made the score 3-3 after four overs, and he went on to finish with a phenomenal 6-19 from his 10 overs as the hosts knocked over Quirindi for just 50 runs in 35.3 overs and then went on to win by eight wickets. Trindall was named man-of-the-match in that game.

The Narrabri RSL Cricket Club man has also represented Northern Inland Bolters at two Plan B Regional Bash tournaments and just last week was named in Central North zone’s senior Country Championships squad for the first time.

To go with all of those accolades, the right arm fast bowler has the respect of all of his teammates and plays any sport that he lines up in with passion and sportsmanship.

Nathan skippered his first game for the Pink Slugs on Sunday, and while he and his teammates did not return home with the win, he could well and truly hold his head high.

He was economical with the ball as he finished with 0-23 from seven overs, and he then almost guided the Pink Slugs to what would have been one of the most remarkable victories in recent history.

He entered the middle in the 35th over with his side at 7-145, chasing 217 in the second round of Northern Inland Cricket Council’s premier senior competition at Gwydir Oval in Bingara, and he blasted four sixes as he guided the visitors past 200 and towards, what looked like at several times throughout the innings, a quite unthinkable victory.

However, he was dismissed in the 44th over as Gwydir held on to win by 12 runs.

“I thought that we really held our own, but it was just a bit tough with only four blokes of the 11 having played a game prior in this season,” Trindall said.

“The other seven hadn’t played a game at all, so the fielding wasn’t up to scratch as it would have been if we’d played two or three games each.

“Everyone is still getting the rust off them, and you can’t help that with all the rain we’ve had in Narrabri.

“We were pretty pleased to get that close (13 runs short of the 217-run required total).

“We were obviously hoping to get over the line, but we fell just short, and to score 204 was good.

“I thought that we were a little bit unlucky, but I suppose at the end of the day, that’s cricket.”

Trindall will miss his side’s next game, its first at home this season, when the Pink Slugs host Inverell at Collins Park on Sunday, November 20, in round three.

He will be playing for Central North in Tamworth at the Country Championships that day, and he said that while he thought that it was frustrating those fixtures were scheduled for the same day, he cannot wait to represent the zone at the senior level.

The full Central North squad is as follows: Jye Paterson (c), Simon Norvill (vc), Hayden Baker, Scott Brennan, Abel Carney, Tom Fitzgerald, Tait Jordan, Harry King, Jett Lee, Adam McGuirk, Brad Smith, Dylan Smith, Shannon Trelfo, Nathan Trindall. Coach – Luke Knight, manager – Hayley Bullock.