Phillips said he won't underestimate the reigning Cricket Illawarra T20 champion but believed his side could put up a strong challenge, particularly with the willow in hand.

"We have a strong batting line-up. Jayden Zahra-Smith got 86 on the weekend [in a two-day game], he's hitting the ball well, and Dale Scifleet is in good form. He's been around a long time now.

"It's hard to know what teams will dish up in Twenty20s, but I think Wollongong is a strong T20 team. They have a lot of variation in their bowling and have attacking batting. But we have good variation in our bowling too."

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All Illawarra first grade teams will play a T20 double header this weekend.

Dapto will hit the road to take on Port Kembla on Saturday afternoon at King George V Oval.

Friday, December 13, 5pm: HELENSBURGH v CORRIMAL at Rex Jackson Park.

Saturday, December 14, 10am: BALGOWNIE v UNIVERSITY at Judy Masters Oval, NORTHERN DISTRICTS v KEIRA at Hollymount-East Park, WOLLONGONG v DAPTO at North Dalton Park.

Saturday, December 14, 12pm: WESTS ILLAWARRA v PORT KEMBLA at King George V Oval.

Saturday, December 14, 2.30pm: CORRIMAL v UNIVERSITY at University Oval, NORTHERN DISTRICTS v HELENSBURGH at Hollymount-East Park, WOLLONGONG v BALGOWNIE at Judy Masters Oval.

Saturday, December 14, 3pm: PORT KEMBLA v DAPTO at King George V Oval.

Saturday, December 14, 4.30pm: WESTS ILLAWARRA v KEIRA at Keira Village Park.

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