At the start of the season both the Christies Crackerjacks and Castlereagh Hornets weren’t too focused on McDonald’s Megahit success.
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Both saw it as a format to have some fun in and give some players who don’t get the chance to normally play first grade an opportunity.
But as well as doing just that, both sides won matches and on Friday night they meet in the semi-final under lights at No. 1 Oval.
“We just wanted to give some different blokes a try and things went out way and now its all hands on deck and we want to see how far we can go,” Crackerjacks captain Keiran Brien said.
The Crackerjacks booked themselves a place in the finals when thumping the Western Plains Automotive Cougars last week, finishing equal with the Hornets after winning three times and losing twice during the regular season.
While both sides have given a number of players, both young and old, the chance to have a run during the season, it has been the regulars who have led their respective sides into the finals.
Jason Green has scored two centuries this Megahit campaign, his second a brilliant 130 not out last week, while Mitch Bower has hit triple figures once for the Hornets.
The likes of Ben Taylor and Ricky Medway for the Crackerjacks and the Hornets’ Greg Rummans and Henry Railz have also impressed at times this season.
“We’re very similar,” Brien said of the two sides.
“We both have strong batting lineups so it will be interesting to see who scores the most runs.
“We’ve both got good bowling attacks but it’s a batsman’s game.”
Brien said little will change in terms of his plans for finals cricket but with Twenty20 played at such a rapid pace he admitted captains always need to be on their toes.
“We tend to keep it pretty similar and use the same blokes,” he said.
“But if I see something that needs to be changed. I’m not afraid to bring spin or early or something like that.
“We’ve got all the options covered and all hands are on deck.”
Dalton Medcalf will take his place in the side after falling awkwardly on his knee in last Friday night’s match while fielding, ensuring there is plenty of power in both battling lineups.
While Green and Bower are the stars and players who could light up No. 1 Oval, there’s more than that to each side, with Brien pointing to John Colwell and Adam Wells as other players who can “hit a long ball”.
The Hornets won the last clash between the two sides while Friday’s semi-final will begin at 6.30pm.
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.
