Aaron Flaherty, Brendon Reynolds and Jake Turner all play in the top grade in Sydney with Turner a key bowler for University of NSW, Reynolds playing for Western Suburbs, and Flaherty recently being named as captain on Northern Districts.

23-year-old Flaherty has taken over as skipper in only his second season at the club after beginning his grade cricket career with the Western Suburbs club. 

The former NSW under 17s captain and under 19 state representative takes over leadership of a young side which boasts a number of state contracted players including opener Daniel Hughes, off spinner Chris Green and pace bowler Harry Conway. 

Flaherty is yet to hit his straps with the bat this season but has shown flashes of his batting prowess during his time in Sydney’s top grade with a top score of 94 as well as an unbeaten half century among his outings at the crease since moving to the big smoke.

The honour adds to an impressive recovery for Flaherty after being the victim of an attack in Kings Cross in 2012 which saw him hospitalised.

The gun batsman told The Examiner from club training on Tuesday that he is honoured to captain a club which has featured some of the biggest names in cricket in its uniforms over the years.

“Its very humbling, and its something I’ve always wanted to do ever since I played in the bush back in Glen, its going to be a challenge but I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.

Flaherty has skippered the side in two matches already and was lucky enough to lead a number of elite players out in his first match.

“My first match we were lucky enough to have Brad Haddin and Nathan Lyon in the side as well as four state guys and to lead them around was a massive thrill and something I really enjoyed.”

“The thing with captaincy is you have to want it and it is something I’ve always wanted to do and been keen to do.”

The young cricketer was confident he would soon hit form with the willow after two at bats where he failed to keep the scorers busy.

“I’ve just got to keep working hard and keep hitting balls as much as I can, I’m definitely working hard and I think its only a matter of time really.”

Fast bowler Turner has been among the leading wicket takers for his new club this year with impressive figures of four for 18 taken from just four overs in a Kingsgrove Sports 20/20 cup match against Newcastle as well as three for 74 in a two day match against St George.

Reynolds who also played on the wing for the Glen Innes Magpies Rugby League team 

before his cricket took him to Sydney, boasts impressive figures of 2 for 18 in the 20/20 cup competition against Central Coast as well as one for 22 against Penrith.

For local NSW cricket development officer Shawn Mepham, who himself recently returned from playing for a club side in England, the success of the three Glen cricketers shows young players from the area that if they are motivated enough they can go on to higher levels of cricket.

“It’s very good to see, for those boys who’ve grown up here and gone up through the juniors and the seniors here to go on and play at that level, they’ve worked really hard at their game and its starting to show,” he said.

Mepham said although the furthest a Glen cricketer can go as a junior is NSW country, if players are keen enough they can go on to play at higher levels, with the representative matches available to be selected in locally contributing to the experience and skill sets that can help get a player to higher honours. 

But he was quick to stress, hard work and dedication are a must for any cricketer looking to go places in the sport.

“Around here the furthest you can probably go is NSW country so you do need to move to the bigger areas eventually to further your career, but there is plenty of steps that you can take that will help a young cricketer if they are really keen on their cricket.”

“All three of those guys have worked really hard outside of junior cricket.”