Tamworth is preparing for one of it's biggest-ever cricketting weekends with the Plan B Regional Big Bash blasting into town along with the NSW Youth Championships and an Ashes hero.
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Bendemeer Bullet, and honorary Northern Inland Bolter, Josh Hazlewood will show off his coin tossing skills as part of what will be a huge and exciting two days of cricket.
"It's pretty massive," Northern Inland Cricket Council president Ben Middlebrook said.
"There's a bit going on."
Between the Regional Bash, youth championships and local grade action there will be 22 games played across the weekend - presenting a bit of a logistical challenge juggling grounds and umpires.
It will be a history-making weekend with the Bolters women's side taking to the field for the first time. They will play the Coffs Coast Chargers under lights at No.1 Oval on Saturday night as part of a double header with the Bolters' men's side, who also take on the Chargers.
Hazlewood is set to conduct the coin toss for both games. He will also help out with the Junior Blasters and Master Blasters, which will take place inbetween.
"We're very lucky to be able to get someone like Josh up here," Middlebrook said.
There will be no cameo for Old Boys this time though.
Not that he would be allowed, but he has to fly back on Sunday to prepare for his Sheffield Shield return.
Because of No.1 and Riverside 1 being unavailable on Saturday, Old Boys' clash with North Tamworth has been deferred to Sunday.
Middlebrook said the introduction of a women's regional bash is "massive" with the winner of Saturday having the chance to play at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
"I think its great for women's cricket in the country," he said.
"I'm really looking forward to Saturday night. Hopefully the girls can get the win and get to the SCG."
The side will be lead by Jaclyn Vickery and is stacked with young talent with several of the players featuring for the Central North under-18s at the recent Country Championships.
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The Chargers' game will be the first of three for the weekend for the Bolters men. They then face the Macquarie Coast Stingers on Sunday morning followed by the Northern Rivers Rock.
"We're looking pretty good," Middlebrook said.
"We've got a mixture of youth and experience and there's a lot of capable batsmen and boundary hitters."
The only query is the bowling. They are a little bit inexperienced there but have got some good variety and will be "young and fit in the field".
The Northern Inland under-13s, under-14s and under-15s will also be in action on Sunday against North Coast as they continue their NSW Youth Championships campaigns.
The one-off games follow three-day carnivals earlier this month.
Sunday will also see the Connolly Cup get underway. Ten teams will vie for the silverware this season with Quirindi making their return after three years in the wilderness.
They take on Narrabri out at Narrabri while Gunnedah host Moree, Walcha are home to Armidale and Glen Innes clash with Gwydir in Glen Innes.
Northern Inland Bolters women's: Jaclyn Vickery (c), Dahlia Glennie, Jessica Davidson, Claire McGuirk, Tara Craig, Taylah Knight, Deni Baker, Chloe Johnson, Lara Graham, Tanya Lowder, Josephine Pearce, Alex Patten, Isabella Cameron.
