Chris Morton is around so many successful sides and representative teams it's almost hard to believe he hasn't played at a Plan B Regional Bash finals day before.
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Despite being a key part of a dominant RSL-Colts side for the best part of two decades and having played for Dubbo and Western Zone previously, Morton hasn't been part of an Orana Outlaws side which has played at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
He hopes that can change after this weekend.
Morton and the Outlaws travel to Bathurst on Sunday for a meeting with the Illawarra Flames.
The winner of that heads to the finals day at the SCG, a stage the Outlaws have reached three times previously.
Morton wasn't a part of those sides, having made his Outlaws debut two seasons ago when the side failed to get past the first round.
"I think it's every kid's dream to get the chance to play on the SCG. It doesn't matter what level it is," Morton said.
"I watched the live stream (in previous seasons) and watched every game and the boys won it one year as well so it's something everyone aims for."
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The Mitch Bower-captained Outlaws secured the match-up with Illawarra after an opening round win over Central West earlier this month.
Morton made just 8 in the middle order that day but he knows he has to arrive in Bathurst ready to feature at any time as part of a powerhouse batting lineup.
The imposing Outlaws side is further boosted this weekend by the inclusion of marquee man Tim Armstrong, who missed the opening round but has been averaging 57 in Sydney first grade with Eastern Suburbs and scoring at a strike-rate of 164 in the Kingsgrove Twenty20 Cup.
"Having Tim Armstrong and Mitch Bower are very big assets," Morton said.
"We're a side with a few blokes who can do a lot of different roles so you've got to turn up prepared to do whatever is needed.
"I like to think I'm someone who can come in and clear the fence but there's a few in the side that can do that. It's a very strong battling lineup."
As well as Dubbo junior Armstrong, Bower and Morton, the batting lineup features in-form youngsters Ben Wheeler and Tom Coady, Charlie Kempston, and Ben Strachan.
"We bat all the way down to 11 or 12. Last game we were five or six out and Benny Strachan came in and Tom Coady, Steve Skinner and Jason Ryan didn't even bat," Morton added.
Mat Skinner also returns on Sunday after missing the opening round through injury and he's set to be part of a bowling unit featuring fellow seamers Strachan, Bailey Edmunds, and Ben Knaggs, as well as spinners Marty Jeffrey and Steve Skinner.
Sunday's match starts at 1pm at George Park 1 in Bathurst.
- OUTLAWS: Mitch Bower (c), Tim Armstrong, Ben Wheeler, Tom Coady, Charlie Kempston, Chris Morton, Ben Strachan, Steve Skinner, Marty Jeffrey, Jason Ryan, Mat Skinner, Ben Knaggs, Bailey Edmunds.
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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.
