DUBBO has claimed underdog status for Sunday’s Western Zone Premier League clash against Orange.

You read that correctly.

Dubbo, a side which has played in the last four WZPL finals - for two wins - has claimed underdog status against Orange, a side which has only won seven of 24 games during the same period.

Dubbo skipper Mitch Bower said on Friday Orange has the right to favouritism, thanks to a huge portion of his side’s regular XI being unavailable for Sunday’s match-up at Country Club Oval.

Tim Berry, Will Lindsay, Jason Ryan, Marty Jeffrey, James O’Brien and Ben Strachan are all out for the match while there are still question marks over Jordan Moran and Chris Morton’s places in the side.

But, regardless, Orange and former Western Zone batsman Dave Neil said his Bluebaggers can’t really afford to think too much about that.

“Normally, I’d say it might change the way we’d approach the game, but after the touch-up we got last week against Parkes I don’t think it will,” Neil explained.

“I can’t really comment on who they will and won’t have playing, I don’t really know many of their guys anyway, but we’ve got a few guys coming in for this game and we’ll be better for it.

“Although, we knew after last week’s loss we’d only be playing for pride. I guess that’s accentuated if we’re playing against a weakened Dubbo team, I don’t think we’d like to get done by their B team.”

CYMS’ duo Mick Delaney and Hugh Le Lievre both come into the side, in place of the unavailable Dave Boundy and Jackson Coote.

“It’s unfortunate to not have Jacky there, he bowled beautifully last weekend,” Neil said.

“But having Pup (Delaney), and Hughy actually, will make up for that a bit.” 

Cavaliers skipper, and former Orange and Mitchell Cricket Council captain, Richie Venner will lead the side for the first time since season 2008-09, and coincidentally he’ll have Orange’s strongest side - in 2015-16 - at his disposal.

Neil said the plan will be pretty simple for his side, bat better than they did against Parkes last week, when they were rolled for 77.

“Richie’s obviously been there and done it before, I’m sure he has a few ideas of his own for Sunday’s game,” Neil said.

“But that’s it, we just need to bat better. If we bowl the way we did last week, and bat out of 50 overs, then I’d say we’re in with a real shout.” Sunday’s game kicks off at 10am, at Country Club Oval.

ORANGE: Richie Venner (c), Matt Baker, Charles Litchfield, Mick Hannelly, Dave Neil, Adam Shepherd, Hugh Le Lievre, Mick Delaney, Hugh Britton, Daryl Kennewell, Chris Novak, Ed Wright