DESPITE concerns over the surface and pitch at No. 1 Oval, the big bash action of the McDonald's Megahit returns tonight with a Twenty20 double-header under lights.
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No Whitney Cup or representative match has been played at Dubbo's main cricket ground yet this season but the night cricket committee and local council have confirmed the surface is ready for tonight's matches.
The first match is at 5.30pm and sees the Christie's Crackerjacks, Macquarie's short-form side, take on Rugby and this will be followed by Newtown beginning their Twenty20 season against South Dubbo's Castlereagh Hornets.
Despite Macquarie yet to win a match this season in the Whitney Cup, captain Keiran Brien said his Crackerjacks side will look to turn their fortunes around in the big-hitting and fast-paced version of the game.
"It will click at some stage so we'll use it as a chance to bash our way back into form," he said.
This evening's opening match is a repeat of last year's decider which Rugby won by five wickets but Brien admitted it was almost impossible to predict how tonight's match would turn out with so much uncertainty surrounding the pitch.
The Crackerjacks featured one of the most intimidating Twenty20 sides last season with the likes of James O'Brien, Dan Medway and Jacob Harvey supporting leading batsman Jason Green.
With Green the only of the four left, Brien admitted his side will use the Friday night competition as a chance to bring on some of the club's younger players.
While Brien was backing some of the less experienced members of his team, with Angus Cusack and Haylock brothers Ed and Joe set to be key players, he is well aware his side face a huge task against Rugby, the defending champions.
"Rugby are a handy all-round side, they've got great batsmen and good bowlers and having Jordan (Moran) is a bonus as captain with his experience and knowledge of the game," he said.
The second match tonight sees the in-form and confident Newtown take on the Castlereagh Hornets.
The Tigers have won both their Whitney Cup matches and while Skinner brothers Mat and Steve leading the way there is plenty of depth in the side with the likes of Dan Holland, Dan French, Nick Cushan and youngster Marty Jeffrey all capable of big performances.
The Hornets have shown glimpses of brilliance this season in the Whitney Cup and while they will be without in-form opener Asher Robins tonight the short form should suit their all-rounder heavy team, with captain Tim Berry joined by Matt Finlay, Adam Carr and Will Wolter.
