TWENTY20
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Illawarra Cricket president Mark Johnston is confident the wet conditions which caused this weekend's local round to be postponed will not stop Tuesday's match between the Sydney Sixers and an Illawarra Invitational XI at North Dalton Park.
Heavy rain last week caused all matches on turf at the weekend to be cancelled but some clearing skies should ensure there is no drama for the marquee Twenty20 clash.
"We have had two good drying days with the sun out and the wind," Johnston said.
"North Dalton drains very well now.
"About five years ago, we had a NSW and South Australia one day game that got called off due to a saturated outfield because it rained for a week. As a result of that, the council spent money putting in proper drainage.
"The outfield will be good and the pitch should be fine."
The Sixers have named a near full-strength squad for the match with several Test players involved.
Moises Henriques, Stephen O'Keefe, Ed Cowan, Doug Bollinger, Mitchell Starc and Brett Lee were all named in the Sixers' starting XI for Tuesday.
The team also includes local star Nic Maddinson, who is in line to make his return from a compassionate leave of absence.
"We are very excited because we don't get a top-class game each year," Johnston said.
"We try to express interest each year if they can bring a game down here because it is the best promotion for the sport for kids, and for adults, to see the best players in close quarters.
"We are very much looking forward to it. The Sixers side is a star-studded line-up with six Test stars and an English international with Michael Lumb."
The Invitational XI will be made up of a handful of local stars and squad players from the Sixers.
Play will begin at 3pm and entry is free.
Johnston hopes the match will again demonstrate the region's credentials for hosting high-quality cricket.
"We are hopeful at some stage Dalton Park might be considered for a first class game or another state one-day game or even a women's international," he said.
"The ground got very good praise from the Sydney clubs when we had the Twenty20 matches down here a few months ago. I hope the public get behind it as much as they can."
After the match, the Cricket NSW board will meet at Novotel Northbeach.