Exies captain Marc Tucker believes winning the toss will have extra importance after the Griffith District Cricket Association introduced timed cricket for first grade this summer.
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The new season starts with five rounds of limited overs matches before the first timed cricket games of the competition.
Under the format, games will be played over a single day with a maximum of 85 overs.
Teams batting first can declare at any time but bat no more than 60 overs. For an outright result, the side batting second either has to reach the total or be dismissed.
If it isn’t dismissed and doesn’t make the runs, the team with the highest run rate for the day will take the majority of points in a winning draw.
Tucker said calling correctly at the start of the day could have a big influence on the result.
“It all depends on the toss. Whoever wins that is in control of the day,” he said.
“If they bat, when do they get enough runs to think they can bowl the other side out? I think winning the toss will dictate the whole day.
“It’ll be pretty challenging. It’s pretty much playing the second innings of a two-dayer, only that you happen to be playing it in one day.”
Exies will chase their third consecutive title this summer and have retained the majority of their squad from last season.
The reigning premiers have been hitting the nets for the past five weeks and start their campaign this Saturday against Diggers, who were the 2014-15 wooden spooners.
Tucker said his players were keen for the season to start.
“A few of the blokes didn’t play footy or anything over the winter, so they’re ready to get stuck in,” he said.
“The weather’s starting to warm up again. Hopefully it doesn’t get too hot, but it should be a good competition either way.”
In other first round matches, Coro battle Yenda, and Leagues Club take on Hanwood.
