With just four regular players taking the field, Orange’s band of replacements were behind from the moment they stepped on the bus.

After stand-in skipper John Warrington won the toss and sent Mudgee into bat, the Orange fieldsmen were made to chase leather all over Mudgee’s Victoria Park.

Cameron Cox and Ryan Kurtz made centuries, putting on 305 for the first wicket.

Cox was the only wicket to fall as he pushed for his double hundred in the final over of the innings, eventually caught for 192. 

Kurtz finished 106 not out as Mudgee finished its 50 overs 1-307.

Orange never got going in reply, as Toby Polkinghorne (7) and Eddie Wright (0) were dismissed early. 

Warrington (30) and Max Dodds (18) tried to spark a resurgence but with the required run rate heading upwards of 10 an over, quick scoring led to both batsmen’s demise.

From there, only tail-ender Andrew Johnson got going, bashing a hard-hitting 52 not out. 

Orange finished its innings 9-174.

Orange coach Phil Dodds said there was plenty his troops could learn from the loss.

“Despite a great effort from the enthusiastic and committed new team members, we struggled,” he said.

“The deck took a lot of spin - something we will need to consider if we make it through [after next week’s semi-final against Bathurst].”