Newly entrenched South Dubbo Hornets skipper Angus Norton admits the run in to this season has been a little strange and it's not something that's going to change soon.
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"It's going to be a bit unusual, yeah, but to be honest, I'm pretty excited and we've managed to have a pretty decent pre-season," Norton said.
COVID-19 has played havoc with the Dubbo and District Cricket Association already, cancelling last year's grand finals and leaving much of the regular run-in in limbo as Cricket NSW determined when, how and in what style community competitions would return.
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Thankfully, much of those discussions have played out in Dubbo's favour, with the season set to start at roughly the expected time, though not without some changes.
One big change is the shift to one-day cricket, with the Duckworth-Lewis system in place for the foreseeable future.
It's something that's been met with some debate in other codes, but Norton's content with, especially as it will likely play into South's strengths.
"I think the short format does suit us a little better, particularly because we've got a couple of younger kids in our side, they're going to have a little bit more energy out there and I think with forty overs, we can probably put up and defend or chase down a comfortable and competitive score depending on where we bat," Norton said.
While the Hornets will miss out on some experience as Mitch Bower moves to RSL Colts this season, Norton's quietly confident that his leadership experience at the top of Dubbo's Brewery Shield campaigns in recent years will help.
"I'm fairly confident I can get the job done at Souths, it's been a little while, but we had a good run in the Brewery Shield when I was captain," Norton said.
The side also has some names coming in, with juniors like Ryan Bolland and Lachlan Rummans expected to see some first grade gametime this season after impressing through the lower grades.
South Dubbo will first meet Rugby in round one this weekend, a match-up that Norton sees as a good opportunity to test themselves.
"It's always exciting to play Rugby, I think that's always been a good game between us, they've got some key players in Bennewith, Wheeler and Jacob Hill, I think it'll make for a good, even game on paper."
South Dubbo Hornets are set to take on Rugby Cricket Club this weekend, when the season begins, at 1pm on October 10 on Lady Cutler field 2.
