Green has succumbed to a stomach virus which has been sweeping across Dubbo and conceded yesterday it was likely Dan Medway would lead the team.

“I’d want to pick up a bloody heap if I was to even think about playing,” Green said.

“My son has it as well and he’s been crook and passed it on to me, we’ve all had it.”

The round five fixture is shaping as a big game for both the Blues and the Cougars, who are locked in tight battle for third spot.

Currently CYMS hold a 1.09-point advantage but that will change one way or another over the next two Saturdays.

“They’ve been playing well and they have batsmen in form like Jaspal (Bansal) and Adam Wells,” Green said.

“We’re pretty much at full strength apart from myself and Declan (Hoare), who’s away with Western Zone. It’s a pity he’s away when you think of th kind of pitch the game will be played on after the rain.

“Ideally we will bowl first but if we get sent in it’s going to need patience, especially against Ben Strachan, but we have a good all-round mix this season and that is holding us in good stead.”

Young batsman Brad Westcott will make his first grade debut for Macquarie after being recommended by second grade captain Jeremy Dickson.

Last year’s first grade skipper, Dickson has stepped back after injuring his shoulder on the golf course during the off-season and being told he is unlikely to bowl again.

“Not having ‘Dicko’ available anymore is a blow but he’ll do a good job helping the guys in lower grades make the step up into first grade,” Green said.

“We have seven or eight bowlers in our team, who can all bat a bit as well so we do have a lot of depth.”