An injury and Sydney first grade commitments is forcing Orana Outlaws coach Jason Ryan to play the waiting game in the build-up to the Plan B Regional Bash finals day.
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The Outlaws travel to the Sydney Cricket Ground this weekend, as one of four sides left battling it out in the NSW Country Cricket Twenty20 tournament.
Ryan is confident he has the side to win the Regional Bash but is facing a nervous wait to see if two of his stars are available for Sunday morning’s semi-final.
Explosive batsmen and handy spinner Anthony Heraghty has been out since November 14 with a broken bone in his hand but will visit a specialist on Thursday to see if he can take his place.
Arguably a bigger concern for the Outlaws is Ben Patterson, with the tearaway quick in doubt due to his St George side due to play a Kingsgrove Cup semi-final on Sunday afternoon.
“But we’ve got blokes in the squad who can take their place,” Ryan said, praising his side’s depth.
“We’ve currently got James O’Brien back from injury, he didn’t play the last game, and myself. I played the last game at Bowral and will probably cover ‘Rabs’ (Heraghty) while ‘Obie’ can cover ‘Patto’ as an all-rounder.”
Despite the concerns, Ryan is adamant his side has what it takes to defeat the Wagga Wagga Sloggers in the semi-final. That would set up a final clash with either the Newcastle Blasters or Northern Rivers Rock in the afternoon’s decider.
We’ve got the best all-round side of the four teams left.
- Orana Outlaws coach Jason Ryan.
“We’ve got the best all-round side of the four teams left,” Ryan said.
“We’ve had the best bowling attack for the past two years when we’ve got everyone available and we’ve got some of the most destructive batsmen in the competition.
“If we put together two good performances in a row we should win but it’s all about turning up on the day.”
The Outlaws produced two vastly different, but equally impressive, performances so far this campaign.
The season began with a convincing seven-wicket win over the Central West Wranglers and that was followed up with a stunning fightback win over the South Coast Crew.
The Outlaws successfully chased down the Crew’s total of 6/133 at Bradman Oval that day, despite being 7/56 at one stage.
That win ensured a trip back to the SCG, after the Orana side was defeated by eventual champions Border Bullets in last season’s semi-final.
“To get the chance to play there was fantastic and to do well this year and get the chance again is even better,” Ryan said.
“It’s gives us a crack and the chance to play better, because we didn’t play anywhere near our best last season.”
Ryan added he was hopeful of having his final 12 confirmed by Thursday.
ORANA OUTLAWS (subject to change): Nathan Pilon ©, Mitch Bower, Greg Buckley, Wes Giddings, Jacob Harvey, Anthony Heraghty, Marty Jeffrey, Jacob McNaught, Jordan Moran, Ben Patterson, Mat Skinner, Ben Strachan
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
