The region's junior cricketers might not have the chance to take to the field yet, but on Wednesday they'll have the opportunity to speak with one of the country's best players.
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The NSW Cricket Country Blitz is going virtual again this week, and on Wednesday afternoon youngsters from Dubbo and the wider western area will get to go online with Australian off-spinner and fan favourite Nathan Lyon.
The Western Zone junior won't be the only attraction either, as he'll be joined in the seminar by Dubbo's own rising star Emma Hughes.
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It was only a few short years ago Hughes was a junior player taking part in events like the Country Blitz, but she'll arrive at Wednesday's chat as a Sydney Sixers and NSW Breakers player.
"It's wonderful have someone like a Nathan Lyon available to give some of his insight and learning," Cricket NSW's Manager for Far West, Matt Ellis, said of the former Young and Western Zone player.
"It's the thing of kids believing, as a regional athlete, that you can achieve 100 Test matches. To be able to hear form someone who's done it is a wonderful opportunity and a great way to keep the spirits up.
"It's been a tough time for a lot of people and I'm looking forward to it, as a cricket fan myself, to hear from Nathan and Emma and I also hope we achieve out purpose of helping to inspire people to love and play the game."
Given the success of the junior girls' program in the Dubbo region in recent seasons, there's also the hope many aspiring female players will sign up to hear from Hughes.
"Emma is very well known and very well liked in the cricket fraternity out here," Ellis said.
"She's the kind of person that is such a good example of what you can do as a female athlete these days.
"She grew up in Dubbo, played her junior cricket here and she's got herself a NSW contract and is giving account for self at the higher level.
"For the young girls here who've seen her do that and are now playing cricket themselves, they can actually start to see themselves starting to do the same and replicate that."
The visit from Lyon and Hughes isn't the only part of the Country Blitz this week.
On Wednesday night Cricket NSW will also run a girls only virtual Q&A with Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) stars Sam Bates and Angela Reakes, as well as a coaching seminar with NSW Blues head coach Phil Jaques and Gavan Twining.
The seminars come as a welcome reminder of the cricket season and local clubs are taking registrations now despite uncertainty around the start of start of the season.
Play in Dubbo is scheduled to start in early October but a November start date is currently looking more likely.
More information and the chance to sign up to Wednesday's Lyon and Hughes visit can be found on the Dubbo District Junior Cricket Association Facebook page.
More information on the girls only and coaching webinars can be found on the Cricket NSW website.
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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.
