Wagga have named a strong squad ahead of the start of the new-look Regional Bash competition.
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The Sloggers will tackle Border Bullets at Billson Park in Albury on Sunday.
Manager Shaun Perry is happy with the squad assemble despite losing the services of Ethan Bartlett, who scored 117 against the Bullets last year.
“I think T20 is a funny game and anyone can win on their day,” Perry said.
“Albury will start favourites as paper they have a far better side with a couple of internationals but I am still reasonably confident.”
There is expected to be plenty of feeling, especially after Bullets selector Trent Ball labelled the Sloggers lucky to knock his team out when they were the defending champions last year.
“I’m excited for everyone involved and can’t wait to get one back on Wagga who fluked a win against us last year with Ethan Bartlett’s hundred,” Ball told The Border Mail.
There has been a move away from a knockout competition with the four Riverina teams to play each other.
Following Sunday’s match, Wagga will travel to Griffith to play Southern Vipers and Murray Bushrangers on November 5.
The team with the best record qualifies to play at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Matt Berkrey is the only non-Wagga based player to be named in the 20-man squad.
The Cootamundra batsman is excited abut being given the opportunity to step up to a new level.
“I’m excited to play and see what happens,” Berkrey said.
“It will be good to play with some of the higher level blokes in Wagga so I’m looking forward to that.”
He’s also looking forward to the chance of playing on NSW’s premier cricket ground.
The 21-year-old is excited for the chance to play at the historic venue.
“It would very good,” Berkrey said. “They seem pretty pretty positive and obviously made it last year.”
Perry believes the Sloggers strength lies in their bowling attack and he’s also looking forward to seeing young guns Josh Staines and Max Harper make their senior debut for Wagga.