There's some outstanding players within Dubbo cricket.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But when representative season rolls around not everyone puts their hand up to play.
The Dubbo side is still strong every season, their record in the Western Zone Premier League is proof of that, but what would the team look like if everyone in the RSL-Whitney Cup was available for selection?
That's the focus of this week's piece as Tom Barber and Nick Guthrie select their ultimate Dubbo XIs.
Tom Barber's XI
Openers: Jason Green and Brad Cox
These two pick themselves in my opinion. Two of the best batsmen I've seen around here before and could still play representative cricket should they choose to.
Both have scored runs for fun over the last decade and more while still making big scores now, I'm also a big fan of having a left and right-hander open the batting.
'Greeny' lead the competition in runs only a few seasons ago and Cox looks to have all the time in the world when he bats regardless of who is bowling at him.
If I were an opening bowler and these two walked out, you'd know you could be in for a long day.
Top Order: Mitch Bower (c), Chris Morton and Brock Larance.
For me, I've got Bower batting at three to steer the ship in the middle overs to act will also act as captain and spinner if needed.
Morton provides a handy back-up keeper option should an injuries occur whilst being the form batsman of the RSL Whitney Cup so far this season.
Throw in Larance, who can bat, bowl and field as well as anyone in town, he will also be the teams main spinner.
Middle Order: Ben Patterson, Jason Ryan (wk) and Ben Strachan.
Patterson is a shoo-in, the bloke hits a ball as big as anyone this side of the Blue Mountains, is an athletic fielder while also probably being the sharpest bowler in the region by a fair way.
I've gone with Ryan as keeper instead of someone like Tom Coady just because of experience. Ryan would've kept to everyone on this list before and in my opinion is still the best gloveman in town.
Strachan like Patterson can hit a big, big ball while also sending down some quick deliveries. While he might not be as quick as he once was, Strachan is still one of the best bowlers going around the RSL Whitney Cup competition.
Lower Order: Ben Knaggs, Ben Taylor and Bailey Edmunds.
Again another tough trio of picks to make. Knaggs is one of the best bowlers in town while also being a gun in the field with hands the size of dinner plates, he rarely drops a ball.
Throw that in with a big ability to bat and you've got yourself a number nine who can do it all.
Taylor was probably a bit of a smokey when I first thought about this team but I know he'd do a job.
He can offer you tight bowling up front with some clever cutter options before changing to spin if needed at the end of an innings. Like Strachan and Patterson, Taylor is easily one of the biggest hitters in town capable of boosting the run-rate late in an innings.
Edmunds' ability to take wickets early in the game is something I don't think you can teach. He has the best yorker in town and has been working on executing late in the innings which will no doubt make him a better all-round bowler going forward.
READ ALSO:
Nick Guthrie's XI
1. Ben Wheeler
Hits the ball as hard as anyone in Dubbo and one of the best to watch when he's in full flight.
Yes, he'll tell you he could be more consistent and convert starts into really big scores but the Rugby left-hander is simply one of the best in the RSL-Whitney Cup and that's why he's here.
2. Jason Green
The sun may be setting on the glittering Dubbo career of Jason Green but his class is undeniable.
As good a batsmen as Western Zone has seen in recent decades, Green has the mix of power and patience and he'd just be the kind of character you want around a team.
3. Tom Coady (WK)
Seemingly gets better every season. That should make sense considering he's developing from a junior into an adult, but his performances are hugely impressive. Scored runs for fun at times last season and his keeping is tidy enough to land him the gloves in this side as well.
4. Mitch Bower (c)
Just pure class. Maybe the best batsmen in Dubbo to watch do his thing? The former NSW Country rep player has stepped back from the representative scene in recent seasons due to family and work commitments but he's still one of the best bats in the region.
Even in a team loaded with as much talent as this one, Bower's wicket would be the one the opposition would cheer the most. That says something.
5. Brock Larance
Imagine young Brock coming in at number five? If the top order has collapsed he can lead the rebuild or, perhaps more dangerously, he could take the run-scoring to the next level if a platform has been set.
A former Australian junior representative, Larance scores incredibly quickly when in full flight while his spin bowling is still probably severely underrated and he's fantastic in the field. Ticks every box.
6. Brad Cox
Sorry, Brad. It's probably a little insulting putting him down at number six but he's got to be in here somewhere. Is he still the best bat in Dubbo? Few would argue if you said so even given his veteran status in the game here. No-one reads a situation better than Cox. He can be the rock or he can explode and score better than run-a-ball.
7. Marty Jeffrey
This was the toughest spot to fill but Jeffrey's form to start this season gets him the place. He's starting to score runs consistently, which has lacked a little in the past, while his experience is now making him a key leader in every team he plays in.
Won't let you down with the bat or in the field and can bowl a few overs if needed.
8. Ben Patterson
Could bat anywhere in this lineup but we'll have to put him here given the quality we're working with. His eye and timing of the ball is incredible. He's yet to fully fire this season but runs can not be far away.
Also still one of the quicker bowlers in Western, we'd give Patterson the new ball and tell him to fire up and lead from the front.
9. Lachlan Strachan
Like Patterson, could have opened the batting if need be. Power hitting and he also has pace bowling with plenty of variation. Currently the best all-rounder in Dubbo, it's a simple choice to have him here.
10. Ben Strachan
Class with the new ball. Comes in a few steps and puts it on a dime nearly every time. Very few batsmen are able to get him away and score freely.
If you throw Ben Strachan the ball, you know that end will be tied up while he's also got real intimidation factor with the ball. We'll happily have that here.
11. Ben Knaggs
The best quick in Dubbo right now? Maybe. He's taken his bowling to the next level since the start of last season. Pace and a real ability to move the ball a long way, Knaggs would be outstanding at first-change after Patterson and Ben Strachan take the new rock.
A gun in the field and a better bat than even he realises.