Thank you, section 19.3.
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Orana will have the chance to defend it’s Cricket NSW Plan B Regional Bash title – in its third straight appearance in the semi-final gala day at the SCG – despite this weekend’s Thunder Conference carnival in Orange being abandoned, thanks to a rule Outlaws player-coach Jason Ryan wasn’t even aware existed until Friday night.
Ryan was under the impression ACT would progress if the carnival was washed out, because the Aces had already hammered South Coast last month and shot to the top of the standings.
However section 19.3 of the playing conditions reveals that in the case of entire carnival wash-out because at least 50 per cent of the group’s fixtures weren’t played, the pool winner is actually determined by last summer’s results.
Because Ryan’s side won the 2016-17 title, it will join Wagga Wagga and Newcastle on the hallowed turf of the SCG on December 10 – the fourth semi-final place will go to the winner of the Sixers Conference Coffs Harbour pool.
“After that I thought ‘well, we might still be a shout if it doesn’t stop’ and, honestly, I’m stoked because it was going to be a really tough battle for us with some injuries and a few guys unavailable.”
Although pleased, Ryan said progressing thanks to inclement weather isn’t what his side wanted.
But, in the same way a minor premiership-winning side deserves an advantage should it rain, the Outlaws earned their standing on the back of last year’s stunning triumph.
“It is unfortunate it happened this way, that’s not really the way any side wants to win,” he said, empathising with the Central West, ACT and South Coast sides.
“But it is a reward for us, for the hard work we’ve put in and the success we’ve had in the last two years. This will be our third trip to the finals (in as many tournaments).”
Ryan’s confident he’ll have a stronger side at his disposal come December 10 than he would’ve in Orange too, although Western Zone and NSW Country star Jordan Moran is still considered virtually no chance to play.
“Jordan only had surgery (on his broken thumb) less than two weeks ago so it will have only been five weeks by the time the finals come around, and I think he was looking at early January anyway so I think it might be pushing it a bit for him,” Ryan explained.
“He’s obviously a chance to be picked in the NSW Country side for the Australian Country Championships again too, and coming back early might jeopardise that so we’ll prepare as if we won’t have Jordan.
“We obviously would be a lot stronger with him there, but I know we’ll be heading to Sydney stronger than we would’ve been in Orange anyway.
“Jacob McNaught wasn’t available (for Orange), but should be for the finals and there’s a couple of other guys we’re looking at too.”
With that, and the side’s experience at this stage of the tournament, in mind, the former Western Zone wicketkeeper-batsman said his side will be brimming with confidence as it looks to bring a second straight title back to the region.
“We’ll be very confident,” Ryan said.
“This will be our third straight trip there and that will help. Last year we were the only team who’d been there the year before and it did make a difference.
“We got a bit overawed in our first year, at times I think we were too concerned with where we were playing and forgot what we there to do.
“We played Wagga last year, Newcastle was there too so having a bit of knowledge about the other teams will help I think.
“But at the end of the day it’s Twenty20 cricket, we all know these games can go either way no matter what teams are playing, but hopefully we can do Western Zone proud again.”