On for young and old: Mitchell, Kennewell primed for Regional Bash finals

The Centrals and Orange skipper will take the new ball for the Central West Wranglers on Tuesday at the Sydney Cricket Ground, and when he stands at the top of his mark at the Randwick end he’ll emulate boy-hood hero Dennis Lillee and “tick off a life-time achievement”.

The 39-year-old has toiled away in the Orange District Cricket Association for 33 years and every summer, he says, has been working to this point.

It’s the same for Ben Mitchell, although the Bathurst star’s trajectory to the same point in his cricketing career has been more Brett Lee thunderbolt than Inzamam-ul-Haq-like in its speed.

The St Pat’s Old Boys all-rounder has just turned 17 and is one of the zone’s brightest young talents.

A Western Zone representative, he whacked a match-winning 97 for Bathurst in the Western Zone Premier League clash at Wade Park on Sunday against Kennewell’s Orange outfit.

Two players at the opposite ends of their cricketing journeys, but just as excited as each other about the unique prospect of playing at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the Plan B Regional Bash finals.

“Just to walk out there will be good enough for me, but to run on that pitch that Glenn McGrath has been on, Dennis Lillee, all those guys … the aura around the place. It’s going to be unbelievable,” Kennewell said.

“Not many get to play there.”

“I’ve been out and touched the out-field but that’s about it,” Mitchell smiled.

“It’s going to be a pretty good experience. It’s probably the best ground in the world, I reckon. I’m keen.”

It’s an experience both very nearly missed out on though.

Thanks to a packed schedule at the SCG, the regional bash finals were initially postponed on December 2 and then later moved to North Sydney Oval.

Player power, though, helped force Cricket NSW and the SCG Trust into a backflip, meaning the 2019 finals – which also includes the ACT Aces, Central Coast Rush and Coffs Coast Chargers – will again be staged at Sydney’s premier ground, which has been the case for each of the last three summers the country Twenty20 tournament has been staged.

“It was a bit deflating to hear we weren’t going to be on there at the SCG, but we got together and said ‘let’s fight for it’,” Kennewell said.

“We kept pushing and Jameel (Qureshi) pushed for it so the younger guys get the chance – that’s what it’s all about.

“We’ve really tried to lead by example, and you’ve got to make things happen in cricket. Nothing’s handed to you.

“That’s my drive. I just love cricket. I’ve not missed a year and these young guys, you’ve got to show them you can be better. You can always learn.”

It’s an infectious enthusiasm that’s rubbed off on Mitchell and a host of the Wranglers’ other young stars.

“I’ve enjoyed this so much. I’ve played a few games now with these fellas with Western as well and it’s great playing with Dazza, the old fella, he’s got that bit of experience. I’ve enjoyed it,” the big-hitting left-hander said, adding his family is making the trip to Sydney for the finals.

“Mum and Dad will both come and hopefully Nan and Pa come along as well. Now we’re on the ‘G’, it should be good.”

The opening ball of the Wranglers’ semi-final with the ACT Aces will be at 10am.

The Aces are expected to be tough competition but Mitchell says this group of Wranglers have already shown they can rise to the challenge.

Central West hadn’t won a regional bash game until this season, when the Wranglers toppled former champions and zone rivals Orana for the first time in four years.

“This sort of cricket suits me,” Mitchell said.

“It should be tough early on but if we get that one we should get it done.”

“I think it’s about making sure you bat your 20 (overs), and getting those ones and twos early on. The runs will come if you bat the 20.”

Coffs and the Central Coast face off in Tuesday’s other semi-final, scheduled to start at 2pm.

The final of the regional bash begins at 6pm, under lights at the SCG.