THE Macquarie Coast Stingers have an almighty carrot dangling in front of them in the Plan B Regional Bash.
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If they win their next two matches they will play on the hallowed turf of the Sydney Cricket Ground.
But before the Stingers worry too much about that they have to navigate their way past the Northern Inland Bolters on Sunday.
It will be a rematch of the same game last season in Tamworth where the Bolters claimed a five-wicket win.
The Stingers are made up of the best twenty20 players from across the Hastings, Manning, Macleay and Gloucester regions.
Hastings trio Brendan Badenoch, Chris Cole and captain Josh Hyde will fly the flag for the locals.
“Last year we were a bit thrown together and there wasn’t much meaning to the game,” Hyde said.
“This year we’ve had a few trial games and I think it’s taken a bit more seriously.”
Hyde’s Macquarie Hotel teammate Cole will look to be at his explosive best at the top of the order.
“It’s Coley’s format, he scores his runs really quick and he’s handy with the ball,” Hyde said.
“He’s probably the danger man at the top of our order because he can get away really quickly if he’s on.”
Badenoch will aim to take key early wickets and Hyde provides the stability in the middle order.
The captain was confident Badenoch would be better for the run 12 months ago.
“Last year with the new ball he was very dangerous and he had them two for not many after four overs,” he said.
“When he came back on at the end he got picked off at times so he’s probably learnt from that what length he should bowl.”
The Stingers captain said the chance to play on the SCG was enough of an incentive for his team to perform at their best.
“Anyone would give up a chance to play there and if you’ve only got to win two games in a format like T20 cricket all it takes is that one batsman to dominate for a certain amount of overs and the game can be gone,” he said.
“It’s a good initiative by NSW Cricket because it gives a lot of country blokes the chance to play at the SCG which doesn’t usually happen.”
First ball is at 2pm at Wayne Richards Park.