There's a stack of new faces in Central West's 14-man squad for this weekend's preliminary games but the mission's the same, the Wranglers are gunning to return to the Cricket NSW Plan B Regional Bash finals at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
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The new-look Wranglers face traditional rivals Orana at Wade Park on Saturday before facing the South Coast Crew and the Illawarra Flames at Wollongong on Sunday, with the ultimate goal to book their tickets to the SCG's hallowed turf.
Skipper Jameel Qureshi, Bathurst's Adam Ryan, Connor Slattery and Henry Shoemark along with Lithgow's Ben Sheehan and Orange's Matt Corben are the only incumbents from last year's side.
It's a well-balanced side because we've got blokes batting down the order who would normally be playing three or four or even opening.
- Central West skipper Jameel Qureshi
Bathurst's Jaden Ekert, Mitch Taylor and Wayne Sellers will make their debuts as will Orange's Brett Causer, Ed Morrish, Mitch Black, Fletcher Rose and boom Kinross recruit James Larkin.
"Jaden Ekert's a very clean striker of the ball, probably one of the best strikers of the ball I've seen, so I'm looking forward to watching him bat," Qureshi said.
"James Larkin is a Taree boy and I played with his older brother (NSW gun Nick Larkin) as a kid. He's got a fair bit of experience playing Sydney grade cricket and he's another one I'm looking forward to seeing play.
"It's a well-balanced side because we've got blokes batting down the order who would normally be playing three or four or even opening for their club teams. All of them have a lot to offer.
"I faced Mitch Black last year and he's a very smart spinner and Ed Morrish has got his crack too. He's worked hard to earn his spot."
The Wranglers were too good for the Outlaws and the Flames during last season's pool stage and Qureshi said they're in the mood to repeat, playing at the SCG again is all the motivation they need.
"Playing on the SCG is the big carrot," he said.
"It's great for country cricketers to have the opportunity to play on one of the best sporting grounds in the world.
"I think if we play our best cricket we will be hard to beat. We just need to go in and concentrate on the tools we have at our disposal and use them to the best of our ability.
"The thing with Twenty20 cricket is that it only takes one person to change the game so you've got to be on your toes."
The Wranglers host the Outlaws from 9.30am at Orange's home of cricket on Saturday morning, before both sides travel down to the south coast that night. Central West faces the Crew at 9.30am on Sunday and Illawarra at 1.30pm.
- CENTRAL WEST WRANGLERS: Jameel Qureshi, Adam Ryan, Jaden Ekert, Ben Sheehan, Henry Shoemark, Brett Causer, Matt Corben, Ed Morrish, Wayne Sellers, Mitch Black, Mitch Taylor, Fletcher Rose, Connor Slattery, James Larkin
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Alexander Grant
Part of the Western Advocate's sports desk in Bathurst.
Part of the Western Advocate's sports desk in Bathurst.
