The strength of Western Zone will be on show at one of the most famous grounds in the world in the coming weeks.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The men's and women's Orana Outlaws side will both play in the Plan B Regional Bash finals this season for the very first time.
The women are scheduled to play their finals day on Sunday, January 17, while the men will take part in the final four on Monday, February 8.
The threat of COVID-19 and continued cases in the Greater Sydney region pose a threat to both finals, but there's still plenty of reason to cheer in the Orana region.
READ ALSO:
-
The Outlaws men have previously won the Plan B Regional Bash title and have finished runners-up in the past but this season marks the first time since the 2017/18 season they have made the SCG finals.
This season will mark the first time the women's side has been a part of the finals day.
Only the Outlaws and ACT Aces will be on show in both sets of finals.
"It's fantastic to see the Dubbo sides heading to the SCG," Cricket NSW's country programs manager Bruce Whitehouse said.
"It's good to see the women's side in and the men back. The ACT are very strong but you never know in Twenty20.
"The women's should be very even."
Both the men and women will meet the Aces in their respective semi-finals.
The other semi in the men's will pit local rivals the Newcastle Blasters and Lake Mac Attack against each other while the Northern Inland Bolters and Coffs Coast Chargers are the other finalists in the women's competition.
The Aces men's side defeated both the Murrumbidgee Rangers and Wagga Wagga Sloggers with relative ease on the way to the final four while the Outlaws head in after wins over Central West and Illawarra.
The Outlaws women also defeated Illawarra to book their ticket to the SCG.
This season marks just the second time women's sides have taken part in the Regional Bash.
"We continue to support the growing of the women's game and we just want people to love and grow the game," Whitehouse said.
"This is a great opportunity to play at the SCG and even elite players or higher don't get to do it."