It only cost the 10-year-old a bruised chest and a few tears following a dropped catch in the crowd during the bushfire relief charity match between an SCG XI and the Mid North Coast.

But the result was a worthwhile one when former Australian test cricketer Stuart Clark noticed his pain and invited him to field alongside former Australian teammate Brad Haddin in the deep.

Father, Tim, said it would be something for his son to tell his mates about in the playground.

"It just came to him a bit quicker than he thought I think; it went through his hands and hit his chest," he said.

In the lead-up to the match, the main message was a simple one - to put smiles on the faces of bushfire-affected communities.

And that one act alone achieved just that.

Mid North Coast compiled a challenging 3-153 off their 20 overs with Port Macquarie's Michael Pelley leading the way with 30 along with Taree United's Matt Kennewell (30).

Talented Macleay youngster Mitch Korn got the innings off to a flyer with 23 off 21 balls while Taree's Josh Ferris (27 off 17 balls) also did some damage with the bat.

Captain Paul Cox said he enjoyed the experience of playing under lights and rubbing shoulders with some childhood heroes.

"My 40-year-old eyes struggled to pick up the ball occasionally, but the younger kids thought it was great," he said.

"It was great for them to come up and visit; some of them drove up from Sydney and then had commitments on the Saturday morning."

Mother Nature ironically had the last laugh which saw the match abandoned after nine balls of the Sydney Cricket Ground XI's innings when the heavens opened.

"I know some of the bowlers were itching to have a crack at them, but unfortunately it wasn't to be."

While former Australian test batsman Mark Waugh didn't get the opportunity to improve on his last hit at Oxley Oval 15 years ago, it didn't stop him from taking a walk down memory lane.

He fondly remembered an impressive slog sweep to deep mid-wicket which sailed over the fence and onto the bowling green at Port City Bowling Club.

"I played up here many years ago in the Tooheys Cup when New South Wales used to come up here," he said.

"The distance that I hit it probably gets longer and longer as the years go past; it was onto the third bowling green if I remember correctly."

Soon after the charity match in Port Macquarie was washed out, Australia started their tour of South Africa with an impressive 107-run win in the opening T20 fixture in Johannesburg.

The former Australian selector was impressed with not only the way the national side were playing, but the spirit in which they were doing so.

"We've got a great side on the field at the moment and they're playing in the right spirit so it's all looking really good for Australia at the moment," he said.

"Marnus Labuschagne has been the most improved player in Australia by a long way and he's a class player in all formats.

"I expect him to do well especially on his home soil where he was born."

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