Local cricket player Corey McDean joined a star-studded line-up for a charity Twenty20 match in Dubbo last Friday.
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The charity match was played between the Dubbo XI and SCG XI, which featured Glenn McGrath, Stuart MacGill, Stuart Clark and local rugby league export Andrew Ryan all for a special cause.
The match was raising funds for the Buy A Bale drought relief campaign and while rain had threatened to end any chance of play in the build-up, a wholly entertaining match went ahead.
In a thrilling finish played out in front of a bumper crowd at Dubbo’s showpeice cricket ground, the hometown team hung on to win by two runs.
McDean, who started playing cricket locally when he was five, opened at the bat for Dubbo, where he shone, bagging 49 runs.
The highlight of his innings, a six off Stuart MacGill as well as fours from McGrath and Andrew Ryan.
In total, more than $2,000 was raised on the night for drought relief.
“It was a bit of fun and I don't get out to this neck of the woods too often,” Narromine product McGrath said, still being hounded for countless photos and autographs long after the match ended.
“My brother has a property out the other side of Bourke and Dad is out at Eumungerie, and I know all the farmers have been doing it tough for a long time.
“It's one of the worst droughts I can remember so any little thing we can do to make a positive impact, we're only too happy to do it,” McGrath said.
“Having watched what everyone has had to go through in this drought, particularly in the home town and area, it's been pretty heart-breaking,” former Australian Kangaroos representative Andrew Ryan said on the night.
That awareness and local knowledge made the experience more special for the likes of McGrath and Ryan, both having plenty of family and friends on hand to watch them in a rare sporting appearance in their home region.
The SCG XI finished two runs short at 8/123. Corey took his place behind the bails – and managed to get a stumping.
But in a showing of what the match was all about, Dubbo captain Mitch Bower didn’t even mention the result when speaking post-game.
“It’s been really good and all their marquee players were friendly and socialised with all of us and the supporters too, they seemed to be having a really good time,” he said.
“We don't get a lot of this so some marquee players like McGrath, MacGill, and Clark is pretty special. A big thanks go to them and all the coordinators as well.”
With the end of the charity match, McDean is turning his attention towards the remainder of the competitive season, along with the state wide school tournament – the Downie Shield.
