If a batsmen from the Dubbo XI manages to hit Stuart MacGill for four on Friday night the former Australian leg-spinner won’t be too fazed because, as he says, “if you’re bowling it means you don’t have to chase it”.
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MacGill, who played 44 Test matches, is one of the marquee names who will feature in Friday’s charity Twenty20 match between a Dubbo XI and SCG XI at No. 1 Oval.
The man once referred to as “Magilla Gorilla” is taking a light-hearted approach to the game and is excited to get the chance to run (or maybe walk) around the mates and members of the SCG Trust.
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However, he said the same can’t be said for fellow marquee name and former Test player Stuart Clark.
Clark may have retired close to a decade ago but MacGill joked the fire still burns within the former fast bowler.
“The only advice I would have for the Dubbo players is to not hit him (Clark) for four,” MacGill, now 47, told the Daily Liberal.
“If they do he will try and hit him in the head. If there’s a four or six it will be back to the old Stuart Clark and they’ll be in trouble.”
While there’s guaranteed to be plenty of laughs at No. 1 Oval, there is also a serious side to the event.
The match has been organised as a fundraiser, with money going towards the Buy A Bale drought relief campaign.
The attendance of MacGill and Clark, as well as Narromine product and Australian cricket Glenn McGrath and Dubbo-born former international rugby league player Andrew Ryan is sure to ensure a bumper crowd is on hand to help out.
“Maybe sometimes people in rural and regional NSW are not aware we (in the city) genuinely do care what happens in this state,” MacGill said.
“This is just a good opportunity for us to put our money where our mouth is.
“The great thing is this isn’t just the SCG XI or the SCG Trust, it’s the NRL and Cricket NSW too. We’re all getting behind western NSW because we know it’s been tough.
“The thing we’ve been joking about is as a cricketer you hate the rain but if this game gets washed out and it rains for a few days I don’t think anyone would be too upset.”
MacGill and Clark are no strangers to matches like this, having taken part in numerous one-off games and events through their roles with the SCG Trust.
As well as helping associations and clubs or being part of events, it’s also a chance for the former Australian players to give back to the game that gave them so much.
“As a cricket fan and player, everyone knows NSW Cricket has been supported by players from regional areas pretty much since it’s inception.
“Some of the best players of all time come from regional NSW and it’s no surprise we’ve got so many (SCG Trust) members outside of Sydney.”
The SCG XI also features a number of current and former Sydney grade players.
Friday’s match is set to start at 6.30pm. Gates at No. 1 Oval open at 5pm with entry being a gold coin donation.
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.
