IT was no too long ago that a representative cricket match between Bathurst and Dubbo’s open teams would see the former start as rank underdogs. How times have changed.
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A renewed passion and commitment from Bathurst’s leading players has turned the city’s first XI into one of the heavyweights of the Western Zone.
Last season Bathurst was crowned the Western Zone Premier League champion, its win in the decider coming against a Dubbo outfit which had handed it so many heavy defeats in years past.
This Sunday Bathurst and Dubbo will once again do battle in the opening round of the state-wide McDonald’s Cup knockout competition.
Dubbo will be host, but Bathurst skipper Jameel Qureshi has every reason to feel confident in his side.
“Things have changed and I think it all sort of started two seasons ago when we beat Parkes in Parkes,” Qureshi said.
“We sort of had the same group of guys and all the boys who are in that side, it is such a pleasure to play with them. I don’t think I have ever played in a team where everyone is so happy to see everyone else do so well.
“I think when you have got a side like that, you are headed in the right direction and it is very nice to be a part of a side like that.
“We know that if we play our best cricket, we are going to be very hard to beat.
“It’s a massive game. It would be a very nice game to win. These are the sort of games that you want to play in.”