TAMWORTH is bracing itself for a weekend of cricket the likes of which the region has seldom seen before.
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Action will be spread from Tamworth's No.1 Oval, all the way through the Riverside Sporting Complex, as the city plays host to the latest round of the Regional Bash.
The statewide-tournament will pit some of the best male and female cricketers from the Coffs Coast, Northern Rivers and Macquarie regions against each other in Twenty20 action.
Playing two games each over two days, the winning sides will book their place in the finals of the Regional Bash, which will be held at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
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Tamworth District Cricket Association (TDCA) president Ben Middlebrook said the city was incredibly lucky to be hosting such "a high-quality competition".
"There's a lot happening this weekend, which will be very fun to watch," Middlebrook told the Leader.
"As well as our regular first-grade fixtures and the Regional Bash, we also have our junior pathways games on as well.
"It's round six and the under-13, under-14 and under-15 Northern Inland sides will be playing in that.
"Honestly, it's going to be a massive weekend of cricket."
Adding to the festivities will be the arrival of, arguably, the region's favourite son.
"We are extremely lucky Josh Hazlewood has made himself available to be in town this weekend," Middlebrook said.
"It's always really special when he comes home and this time around will be no different."
The man affectionately known as the Bendemeer Bullet said he was thrilled to be back in the region.
"Last time I was here I got to play for Old Boys, so this time is a bit different," Hazlewood said.
"This time around, it's great to be back home for the first game for the women's Bolters and for the men's games.
"It's exciting times."
Hazlewood said he was pleased to see the region's current day players have the chance to play at the SCG.
"I can remember playing there in the SCG Cup as a young guy when I was still living in Tamworth and the feeling was incredible," he said.
"It's great to see people from the bush can still have that chance through the Regional Bash."
Hazlewood will toss the coin ahead of Saturday's matches, before putting the region's next generation of cricket stars through their paces.
"I'll be running a blasters clinic for the young kids at about 5pm on Saturday," he said.
"Those things are always a lot of fun and it will be good to see the kids out having a go."
The Regional Bash games will begin at 2pm at Tamworth No.1 Oval as the Northern Inland Bolters take on the Coffs Coast Chargers, followed by the women's game from 6pm.
The action will continue on Sunday at Riverside Oval No.2 from 9.30am, as the Bolters square off with the Macquarie Coast Stingers.
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
