Wagga will host it’s pool of the new-look Regional Bash on October 27-28 where the Sloggers will go up against ACT Aces, Border Bullets and Murrumbidgee Rangers.

The Sloggers will open their campaign with a clash against arch-rivals Border Bullets under lights at Robertson Oval on Saturday.

They will then go up against the highly-fancied ACT team and the Rangers at McPherson Oval on Sunday.

The Sloggers’ 20-man squad has been selected and Perry believes it it bursting with talent.

“We’ve got a pretty good side. It’s good, there were a lot of blokes that put their hand up,” Perry said.

“We’ve got Alex Smeeth, who didn’t play last year, plus new guys to the competition like Lachie Skelly and Beck Frostick. Guys who haven’t played in the past like Jeremy Rowe, Alex Jones, Jimmy Richards.

"There is good bowlers, good batters. I’m happy with the options and happy with the strength of the squad.”

Australian Country representative Jon Nicoll is the notable omission, while St Michaels captain Ryan Forsyth and Kooringal Colts pair Keenan Hanigan and David Bolton also were unavailable and declined selection.

The Sloggers will also be led by a new captain with long-time representative skipper Joel Robinson unavailable for the clash against the Bullets on Saturday night, but is free to return on Sunday.

Joe Kenny and Nathan Cooke were both selected in the squad but will not play in the Wagga round-robin weekend due to injury. They could come in should Wagga make it through to the finals of the statewide competition.

The rules have changed this year and no marquee players are allowed. Wagga was able to select from the wider Northern Riverina region however.

Wagga selected four under 21 players in Max Harper, Skelly, Tom Doig and Josh Coyte and must play a minimum of two of those players in each match.

Perry said a win in the Saturday night showdown against the Bullets was a priority.

“We’ll try to pick our best side for the first one and go from there,” he said.

“If you get off to a bad start and lose your first one, you’re chasing your tail for the rest of the weekend.”

The squad will train on the next two Fridays.

Wagga Sloggers squad: Kurt Robertson, Max Harper, Alex Smeeth, Aaron Maxwell, Lachie Skelly, Josh Thompson, Tom Doig, James Richards, Beck Frostick, Sam Perry, Jesse Hampton, Nick Grant, Luke Gerhard, Nathan Cooke, Alex Jones, Joe Kenny, Brayden Ambler, Joel Robinson, Jeremy Rowe, Josh Coyte.

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