CRICKET
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Before this season it had been about 15 years since Matt Ellis last captained a cricket side.
Now he is just one game away from lifting the Brewery Shield with Dubbo meeting Wellington on Sunday in the grand final.
The two best sides in this season's competition fittingly meet in the decider at Wellington's Pioneer Park and Ellis knows his side faces a real challenge against the hosts and minor premiers.
"They have been the standout in terms of batting, they've scored a lot of runs and play a really aggressive style," he said.
"And that can be really hard to bowl to. Last time we played them the runs flowed but our boys who bowled really stuck to their guns and stuck to their plans."
The two sides met earlier this month in a regular season game and that match marks the only time Wellington has lost this season.
It was a close-fought match with Dubbo getting across the line by 22 runs despite a powerful century from Keiran Brien.
Ellis highlighted the battle between his bowlers and the Wellington batsmen as something vital with the in-form Brien posing a big threat.
"I think every time I've played against him this season he's scored a century or gone close to," he said.
"He's a special talent and is hitting the ball beautifully at the moment so we've really got to work on him.
"Last time we played he scored a century but we were fortunate to get him and when we did that was the turning point, if he'd stayed there they would have won."
Dubbo have named a 13-man squad for the match and strike bowlers Angus Cusack, Sean Mason and Jack Busch will all play a big role.
Ellis has called for another disciplined display with the ball and wants to build pressure from one end if a batsmen such as Brien gets going.
In terms of Dubbo's batting, Ellis knows his in-form top order will again hold the key.
Asher Robins and Marty Jeffrey impressed when they last opened together while Stuart Naden, Patrick Berryman and the captain himself will also be keen to contribute.
"Asher is in a good patch at the moment and is scoring runs and also building partnerships and that's something I've really stressed to the boys, the importance of partnerships and turning the strike over," Ellis said.
This is the first season Dubbo has used the Brewery Shield as a competition to mainly give experience to younger players and Ellis said it would be a satisfying victory if they were to return to Dubbo on Sunday with the silverware.
"For me personally, I haven't captained a cricket side since I was in school about 15 years ago so I've really enjoyed the opportunity to work with these guys," he said.
"I'd feel very thankful to be a part of such a great young side if we were to win."
Sunday's match begins at 10am.
o DUBBO: Matt Ellis (c), Patrick Berryman, Jack Busch, Angus Cusack, Lachlan Harper, Marty Jeffrey, Nick Karydis, Ben Knaggs, Justin Knudsen, Sean Mason, Stuart Naden, Asher Robins, Blake Watmore.