But skipper Jameel Qureshi says his side will relish the challenge.

Qureshi’s Bathurst District Cricket Association open rep outfit travels to take on Dubbo in Saturday’s opening round, a clash that’ll double as rematch of the 2015-16 final won emphatically by the Barracudas.

It’s been a clash over 12 months in the making following the concept’s hiatus last summer and the Bathurst skipper is glad to see the WZPL back.

“I think it’s a great breeding ground for younger cricketers coming through,” he said.

“It’s more important for them to be playing good quality cricket.”

Bathurst and Dubbo are expected to dominate the 2017-18 premier league, but Qureshi refused to rule out Orange, Parkes or Cowra.

“That’s the great thing about the Western Zone Premier League, anyone beats anyone on their day,” he said.

“Orange beat us in the (Mitchell Cricket Council) Twenty20 final last season, there’s some good cricketers getting around … there’s no easy games.

“You’ve got to respect every opponent or they’ll knock you off.”

Qureshi skippers what is shaping up as a formidable Bathurst line-up heading into this weekend’s double-header round.

Daniel Casey, Matt Stephen, Josh Toole and Aaron Seymour join Qureshi as the team’s old heads, but it’s the young Barracudas that excite the Bathurst skipper the most.

“Young (Ryan Peacock) is one of the best juniors I’ve seen coming through,” the Blayney-based Qureshi said.

“We’ve got Ben Parsons, Ben Mitchell, Nick Broes … these’s guys will really benefit from playing such good, hard cricket.”

Qureshi said the side will build into this campaign, with just the Dubbo game and a bye during the opening two rounds, which will be played on consecutive days this weekend, October 7 and 8.

Dubbo will name its squad on Thursday and selectors were looking to put a stong side together as they look to establish themselves as title contenders.

They will play hosts to Bathurst before travelling to Wade Park to play Orange on Sunday.

Orange will hit the road in its opening game on Saturday to play Cowra, with the lachlan valley giants then playing Parkes in game two. Parkes has a round one bye.