Central West skipper Jameel Qureshi is hoping experience can help lift the Wranglers into uncharted waters this Regional Bash campaign.
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Qureshi and Central West selectors named a 20-man squad to contest this year's cut-throat Twenty20 competition, with the Wranglers' first game against Orana at Wade Park on November 1.
The likes of Orange veterans Ed Morrish and Hugh Le Lievre have been selected this year, while the strong Bathurst contingent named in the squad is led by the likes of Matt Stephen, Ryan Peacock, Joey Coughlan and the flamboyant Dave Sellers.
Cowra mater-blaster Mick Curtale is also in the squad as the lone non-Orange or Bathurst player.
Qureshi, who has guided Central West to two straight finals appearances at the Sydney Cricket Ground only for the Wranglers to bow out at the semi-final stage, says old heads mixed with the experience of having played in the finals in the past can lift his side into the final this summer.
"Twenty20's a funny game, all you need is one or two things to go your way bring and it brings you right back into the game, we've seen that the last couple of years and the guys have that experience now," he said.
"We'll have a crack again."
He says the key to giving yourself a chance in the shortest version of the game is doing the simple things well.
"I think a lot of people get carried away with the big bash and thinking you have to score big," he said,
"But it's the basic things; your ground fielding, taking catches, running between the wickets to ensure you're not accumulating those dot balls ... teams that win do those things well win games."
This year's Regional Bash competition is a knock-out, so the winner of the Wranglers and Outlaws clash in Orange next week will meet the winner out of South Coast and Illawarra for a place at the SCG.
"Orana's always tough. Dubbo, Parkes, it's always tough when you show up to play those boys," Qureshi added.
The veteran bat says he's keen to work alongside the likes of CYMS all-rounder Le Lieve and the big-hitting Bailey Ferguson, while Redbacks star Coughlan is scoring runs early in the year.
Gun-for-hire Curtale is another Qureshi is happy to have on board.
"I've played with or against Mick since I was a kid. Not too many hit the ball as cleanly as they get," he added.
Thirteen players will be named for the Wranglers' first game next Sunday.
- CENTRAL WEST WRANGLERS: Jameel Qureshi - captain (Bathurst), Mitch Black (Orange), Bailey Brien (Bathurst), Cooper Brien (Bathurst), Joey Coughlan (Bathurst), Lachlan Coyte (Orange), Mick Curtale (Cowra), Bailey Ferguson (Orange), Jack Goodsell (Bathurst), Dave Henderson (Bathurst), Hugh Le Lievre (Orange), Ed Morrish (Orange), Ryan Peacock (Bathurst), Fletcher Rose (Orange), Adam Ryan (Bathurst), Dave Sellers (Bathurst), Henry Shoemark (Bathurst), Connor Slattery (Bathurst), Matt Stephen (Bathurst), Mitch Taylor (Bathurst).
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