The last time Daniel Hughes was at No. 1 Oval it wasn't with a bat in hand.
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It was in the red and white of the Cowra Eagles in the 2007 Central West Rugby Union colts grand final.
Hughes scored a try in his side's memorable come-from-behind decider win, one of his final efforts in union before switching his attention purely to cricket.
That decision proved a masterstroke as Hughes is now a NSW Blues star and last week’s century against Queensland cemented his standing as one of the most in-form batsmen in the country.
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Hughes arrived back at Dubbo on Wednesday afternoon and on Thursday he will line up in the feature match of the Baggy Blues tour.
The Baggy Blues, an organisation for former NSW cricketers, is running a number of activities in Dubbo in conjunction with the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP).
In Thursday's match, Hughes and a handful of other NSW players will be split among the Dubbo XI and Macquarie Valley Invitational sides which will play what is certain to be a high-class Twenty20 fixture under lights at No. 1 Oval.
"The last time I was there would have been playing union. I wouldn't know the last time I played cricket," the one-time Western Zone star said.
"But it's going to be getting out back towards home, back where it all started."
Hughes, who also plays for the Sydney Sixers, will be joined at Dubbo by Sydney Thunder's Ryan Gibson as well as NSW up-and-comers Harry Conway, Charlie Stobo, and Param Uppal.
All five players will also lend a hand in a training clinic for the region's juniors prior to the Twenty20 match.
"It will be good to get around and maybe try and spot some young talent there," Hughes said.
"Stuff like this is great and I can remember when I was at school Brad Haddin came out once and did a lot with us. It can be hard in the country because you just don't have the facilities they do in the city.
"So this is nice to give back to the game and talk to the kids about your journey and help them and give them any tips you can."
Hughes will be worth listening to as well.
Since the start of last season in the Sheffield Shield, the stylish left-hander is one of just nine batsmen who has scored more than 500 runs at an average better than 40.
Of those nine, only Hughes and Victoria's Marcus Harris are yet to play Test cricket for Australia.
With much conjecture around the make-up of the national side in recent times, Hughes ensured his name remained in conversation when making 116 in the second innings of his side's win over Queensland at Canberra.
It was a dominant showing and part of a brilliant 258-run opening partnership with Nick Larkin.
"I've just tried to stay consistent," Hughes said.
"I'd made a lot of fifties but not converted so being able to do that and put on a big partnership with my mate down the other end was very pleasing.
"I've been hitting the ball well for a couple of years now and life is just really good, that's a big thing. Cricket just takes care of itself.
“All I can do is keep scoring runs and if the opportunity comes up then I’ll take it. I’d love to play for Australia.”
There won't be the pressure of domestic cricket on Thursday night, with the match offering more of a chance for fun.
Hughes and his Blues mates will be part of the best sides the region has to offer and a bumper crowd is expected at No. 1 for the clash.
"It's going to be fun and it should be really entertaining. I know we're all looking forward to it," Hughes said, before laughing about how the game is better than preparing for another Shield game.
"It's not going back into the gym or the nets. You get to go out to the bush for a couple of days and it's going to be really good not being in the gym."
Play starts at 6.30pm. It’s a gold coin donation entry at No. 1 Oval.