The Outlaws made the semi-finals of the NSW Country Twenty20 tournament last season and got the chance to play on the hallowed turf of the SCG, but the side was bounced out immediately by the Border Bullets.

The 18-man squad for this season’s campaign was named this week and Mitch Bower, who is again expected to be captain, said his side learnt a lot from last summer.

“Last year we went there and under performed and probably saved our best for last,” he said.

“So now those big stage flusters are out if we get there again we should be competitive.”

The squad is largely similar to last season with marquee players Nathan Pilon and Ben Patterson both returning. As well as being home to the two marquee players, Dubbo is the most well-represented centre with 11 other players in the squad, while there is three from Parkes and two from Cowra.

The side features a number of young players, as per the competition rules, with promising Dubbo duo Ben Knaggs and Angus Cusack receiving a call-up.

“It’s part of the criteria and giving them experience of top level Twenty20 will only better their cricket,” Bower said.

While the chance to finish as NSW Country champions is driving the side, another major motivator is the chance to play on the SCG again.

“A couple of us have now played there a few times and when you get the opportunity you want to cherish it because things like that don’t come around everyday,” Bower said.

The Outlaws play the Central West Wranglers in round one at No. 1 Oval on October 16.

ORANA OUTLAWS: Mitch Bower ©, Marty Jeffrey, Greg Buckley, Wes Giddings, Ben Knaggs, Jason Ryan, Jordan Moran, Mat Skinner, Ben Strachan, Angus Cusack, James O’Brien (Dubbo), Ben Patterson (St George/ Dubbo), Nathan Pilon (Berwick/ Dubbo), Anthony Heraghty, Myles Smith, Blake Smith (Parkes), Michael Curtale, Brendan Traves (Cowra)