The off-spinner as spent time in New Zealand and is now based in Dubbo, and while he’s played the odd game here and there, Naden hasn’t been a consistent part of the Warriors in that time. 

However, this year he’s signed on as City’s marquee player, and he’s keen to get into it on Friday against Centrals. 

“It’ll be good to be back, last time I was there we won the two-day and T20 formats so hopefully we’ll be able to taste success again," he said. 

Since then, he’s played with Dubbo CYMS and spent two years in New Zealand playing with Sydenham in Christchurch under the captaincy of former Black Cap Chris Harris. 

“To have someone there with that experience was good for me, part of the reason I feel like I’ve improved so much is from that,” he said. 

While he endured a lean run with the bat during his time in Orange, Naden has hit a 24 and a 49 with the bat opening for Dubbo CYMS this season, and has 2-35 from his one stint with the ball. 

He’s hoping to contribute with bat and ball for City, but despite opening the batting in Dubbo he isn’t sure where he’ll come out. 

“I tend to knock it around, I don’t really have the strength to hit it out of the park but I’ll do what I can for the team when I need to,” he said.  

“With the spin they’ve been coming out pretty well … last time I was here I had a pretty good season with the ball.” 

He’s looking forward to connecting with familiar faces in Orange, with Warriors’ skipper Ed Morrish a good mate of Naden’s.

Naden has also oiled the Twenty20 gears so far this season, lining up for the Orana Outlaws in their unsuccessful Regional Bash campaign last month, which he said was a “good experience”. 

City play Centrals at Wade Park on Friday night, with the first ball bowled at 7pm.