NORMALLY a round six battle between two unbeaten sides would be a rare, mouth-watering match-up.

But today it will feature two teams with just three wins between them as the Bathurst District Cricket Association first grade competition, weather permitting, resumes at King George VI Oval in Blayney.

The home team will face Bathurst City, Redbacks having had two wins, two wash-outs and a bye.

Blayney themselves have a win over Rugby, an abandoned game with Colts, a bye and a pair of wash-outs.

It is a truly strange circumstance for captains Matt Willis and Jameel Qureshi as they look to claim bragging rights, having fought out a grinding draw in their last meeting in 2014-15.

“To tell the truth we have played some really good cricket so far this season, but it still doesn’t feel like it means anything in some ways. No-one has been able to get a roll-on and play any consistent cricket,” Willis said of his Redbacks outfit.

“Blayney are a talented side, their position on the ladder hasn’t probably shown what they’re capable of in the last few years and it is a shame that they haven’t had more of a chance this summer to show their improvement.

“It is pretty hard to get away from the fact that Jameel is their best player and the one who poses the biggest threat.

“But in one-day cricket particularly, anyone who has a good day can make a big impact and there are a handful of guys in their side that could do that.”

Redbacks are likely to regain the services of John Rudge and Kirby Earle, who were both unavailable for their scheduled match last Saturday against City Colts.

Blayney captain Qureshi is equally disappointed at not having the chance to add to the win over the Bulldogs and get some more game time into his less experienced players.

But he said his team can take some heart from the last meeting between the two sides.

“I think man-for-man, City were the strongest team in the competition last summer and we managed to stretch them all the way in that two-dayer, although the rain had a bit of a part to play from memory as well,” he said.

“It just showed that when we apply a bit of discipline to our cricket, we can match anyone. The thing that has held us back is not being able to show that discipline often enough, for long enough.

“They don’t have the sort of bowling attack you can just go out and smash everywhere, you have to pick your moment to put the pressure back on them and respect that you’re going to get a decent share of good balls.

“It is the same with the bat. You can’t just expect to bowl to them without a plan, they can all play just about every shot in the book. You have to have a plan and probably accept that some of your good bowling will still go to the boundary.

“Their whole side is powerful, you think you’ve taken care of their batting and then at six out walks Shabbir [Dhamani] who’s close to the best all-rounder in town.”

BATHURST CITY: Matt Willis (c), Trent Hemsworth, Matt Lawson, John Rudge, Joey Coughlan, Ben Orme, Adam Orme, Shabbir Dhamani, Jarrod Urza, Kirby Earle, Damien Hanrahan.

BLAYNEY: Jameel Qureshi (c), Imran Qureshi, Dave Rogerson, Yousuf Qureshi, TJ Smith, Jim Stanbridge, Pirenu Nirmalendran, Adrian Mielke, Brad Sandercock, Atticus Strong, Jayden Fuller.