Big opportunity for NSW hopefuls

This weekend's Round 2 of the Sydney Grade cricket competition provides a huge opportunity for players to make an impression with the NSW selectors, before the Speedblitz Blues commence their Pura Cup-ING Cup defence on 26 October in Bowral.

Mark Waugh will again lead Bankstown, this time against local rivals St George at Bankstown Oval. He will be ably supported by former NSW all-rounder Scott Thompson, who has returned to Bankstown after a three-year stint with the Dragons. Both clubs were Round 1 losers.

Eastern Suburbs' Brad Haddin will also battle his former club, Northern District, at Waitara Oval. Blues all-rounder Dominic Thornely will look to spoil Haddin's return, and lead Districts against a Dolphins outfit buoyed by its first-up success against last year's finalists Penrith.

Another highlight of the round is exciting Blues openers Michael Slater's clash with three former NSW pace bowlers, when University of NSW hosts Mosman at Village Green. Phil Alley, Trent Johnston and Warwick Adlam will be eager to claim Slater's wicket, and reinvigorate their representative careers.

At Petersham Oval, Simon Katich will look to post back-to-back centuries as the Randy Petes take on Campbelltown-Camden, boosted by the return of Brett van Deinsen. Katich was in brilliant touch against Manly-Warringah last week, after gaining Hampshire CCC's Player of the Year award in the English summer.

In other matches- Blacktown v Manly-Warringah at Joe McAleer; Fairfield-Liverpool v Penrith at Rosedale; Gordon v Parramatta at Killara; Hawkesbury v Sydney University at Owen Earle; UTS-Balmain v North Sydney at Drummoyne; Western Suburbs v Sutherland at Pratten.