With limited senior sport options during the last six months, the city's cricketers are ready to get back in action.
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The match between Hanwood Cricket Club and Griffith Leagues Club Panthers will be one of two games this weekend heralding the start of the summer.
"Everyone's pretty excited. Not too much has happened over the winter," Hanwood captain Charlie Cunial said.
Cunial said the team's prospects were looking good a few new players had joined the ranks, and Luke Docherty had returned from Sydney and would join the squad.
He said Hanwood's team had been training for a month, but expected there would be a bit of time before the team adapts to the new rules designed for COVID.
"It's definitely going to take some time to adapt, but as long as everyone understands what needs to be done, it's no problem," he said.
Playing on Exies Oval number one, Hanwood and Leagues will play the first 50 over game.
"It's definitely a bit different, not a huge change, you have to have a bit more patience if batting first," Cunial said.
"You can't let a one or two over patch dictate the innings.
"If you have the patience, on both sides of the ball, the results will come."
Cunial expected that batsmen might get an advantage from bowlers only being able to dry shine the ball, however he said Saturday's pitch might still have a little moisture underfoot to help bring about some swing.
Meanwhile, Leagues Panthers captain Jim Binks will be handing the reins to Reece Matheson as he's has a prior engagement on the weekend.
"He's quite capable, and will be suitable for the job," Binks said.
He said Matheson would be supported by Paul Plummer and Ben Leach on the ground.
Binks said Hanwood were good side to play.
"They're aggressive, but very fair. They've got a good side, but so do we."
While it's only the first game of the season, Binks has said the Panthers will be playing for sheep stations.
"My intentions are to be as competitive as possible. There's no point getting halfway through the season and realising there's a lot of work to be done," he said.
"It's good to get under way and that everyone's quite keen."
Panthers and Hanwood will play at 2pm at Exies Oval number one on Saturday.
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Declan Rurenga
Declan Rurenga was the editor of Griffith's Area News and Leeton's Irrigator until September 2023. Before landing at the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, he reported news in Junee, Wagga Wagga, Orange and Cootamundra.
Declan Rurenga was the editor of Griffith's Area News and Leeton's Irrigator until September 2023. Before landing at the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, he reported news in Junee, Wagga Wagga, Orange and Cootamundra.
