A loss in a showcase Twenty20 match like the one played on Thursday night wasn’t too hard to swallow for Daniel Hughes, but being caught out by a Blues teammate and Big Bash League (BBL) rival did mean he lost all bragging rights as well.
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Hughes was one of the main attractions in Thursday’s Baggy Blues tour game at No. 1 Oval, the stylish left-hander joined by four other NSW Blues players in the match played out between a Dubbo XI and Macquarie Valley Invitational XI.
Hughes, who will be playing for the Sydney Sixers when this season’s BBL campaign starts up next month, captained the Dubbo side while Ryan Gibson of the Sydney Thunder captained the Macquarie Valley side.
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Cowra junior and former Western Zone gun Hughes had to watch on as Gibson’s team, led by half centuries from Ben Patterson and Corey McDean, piled on a massive 6-187 from its 20 overs.
If the Dubbo team was any chance it needed Hughes to fire and just as he got going he fell to a sharp catch from Gibson when belting a shot off the bowling of fellow marquee man Charlie Stobo for 29.
“That was tough,” Hughes laughed after the game.
“I probably hit it to the one bloke on the field who would catch that as well but it was all good fun.”
Gibson enjoyed it, as well.
“It was great to have a win. Especially against a captain from the Sixers so I’m one up already,” he grinned.
While Hughes and Gibson are both keen competitors always out to win, there were few people who were overly focused on the result on Thursday night.
The tour, organised by the Baggy Blues organisation of former NSW cricketers, was designed to promote the game and, more importantly, start a positive conversation around mental health.
The Baggy Blues have teamed up with the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) in recent times and their regional tours involve much more than cricket matches.
It was mentioned during the gala dinner at the Dubbo RSL on Wednesday morning but really came to the fore during a breakfast on Thursday.
The breakfast was run by RAMHP and discussions were held around mental health in rural areas and the important role that sport can play in starting conversations.
Baggy Blues member and former Australian spinner Gavin Robertson spoke at that breakfast openly about his own battles, and numerous comments were made throughout the day about the impact and importance of seminars of that ilk.
“The Baggy Blues is an awesome concept,” Hughes said.
“To have to current and former plays together and the work they’re doing in regards to mental health is really important.
“Especially out here in the rural areas. Just to get that message across and let people know there is something there for them if they do need help.”
As well as the dinner and breakfast, the Blues players both past and present also took part in a junior training clinic on Thursday afternoon.
There wasn’t one part of the No. 1, No. 2, or No. 3 Ovals which weren’t covered in young cricketers being run through drills and learning from some true greats of the games.
It was special for Gibson after he spent plenty of time in pre-season as part of the NSW Cricket Country Blitz.
During that visit he was in Dubbo while also visiting schools from Nyngan to Parkes.
The Baggy Blues is an awesome concept ... and the work they’re doing in regards to mental health is really important.
- Daniel Hughes
“There was so many kids,” Gibson said of the afternoon clinic.
“I was in Dubbo probably four months ago and went to a lot of schools around here and to see so much support for cricket from those young guys is great to see.
“We had about 100 kids here and there was some real talent so hopefully they stick with it.”
The real talent came to the fore in showpiece match that evening.
While most of those in attendance were keen to see Hughes and Gibson, as well as fellow NSW player Harry Conway and up-and-comers Stobo and Param Uppal, it was locals who stole the show.
Ben Patterson left even Hughes in awe as he pummelled a stunning 53 from just 23 balls when opening the batting for Macquarie Valley.
“It looked like they were going to get about 300 there after the first six (overs) went for nearly 100,” Hughes joked.
“There is a bit of talent. That bloke in the first innings, ‘Patto’, he hit them miles.
“But there’s always a lot talent in the country areas but it can get missed because don’t move to the city and don’t want to leave home. But there’s always a lot of talent in country cricket.”
Corey McDean played the anchor role and once Patterson departed he began to take control.
The young keeper-batsman went on to finish with 63 from 47 balls as his side piled the runs on.
Steve Skinner took 2-22 from four with the ball and did help drag the Dubbo XI back to some extent.
The run chase was always going to be an almighty ask and with Mitch Bower (1) and Hughes going earlier it got even more difficult.
Wes Giddings (36) and Tom Atlee (32) entertained in their knocks but the Macquarie Valley side was able to give everyone a bowl and still win comfortably.
Wellington’s Sarah Darney, a NSW Indigenous XI player, only took one wicket but impressed with her flight during her spell.
The teams came together at the end of the game as Baggy Blues member Phil Marks spoke about the importance of what they were doing, before the players young and old joined together to have a drink and a laugh.
Many of the stories told by the Baggy Blues veterans were about the times they used to play in the bush as part of the Toohey’s Cup competition and those yarns had current Blues and cricket fans in Dubbo entertained.
“The old boys loved it when they came out and played so to be with them and hear the stories of them coming out and the fanbase they had and to have us realise how big it is out here, is really good,” Gibson said.
“Cricket has changed so much since those days. What they did back then they wouldn’t be able to do now. It’s good to hear that and we’ve got a couple of stories but nothing like theirs.”