WINGHAM skipper Michael Rees admits the current Mid North Coast Premier League cricket season is ''weird'.
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He'll lead his side into two T20 fixtures tomorrow at Chatham Park. Wingham plays Rovers in the 12.30 game and Port Magpies in the 4pm encounter.
Rovers sit in second place, three points clear of third placed Wingham while Port Magpies are fourth, six points in arrears.
"It's been a weird season and I think everyone is struggling a bit,'' Rees continued.
"The pitches aren't in great shape because there's no water and unfortunately that doesn't look like it's going to change soon. We lost a couple of weeks because of the bushfires.
"Now we've started the T20s and they're always a bit different.
"But we have a better T20 side than most when everyone's available, so we should go alright.''
Wingham started the T20s last week with a loss to Taree West and a win against Wauchope RSL.
However, Wingham were minus some of their better players for the opening game against Taree West. Rees expects to be close to full strength for both matches tomorrow.
"Ben Scowen should be right. I missed the first game last week because I was working in Sydney,'' he said.
"I just made it back in time for the second, but I'll be right for both this weekend.''
Rees has had little batting time this season but he showed what he is capable of in a brief knock against Wauchope last Saturday when he smashed 25 from 12 balls before he was caught behind.
Remarkably, this was Rees' longest innings of the season and only the second time he's been to the crease.
He confirmed that 16-year-old medium pacer Jack Campbell would retain his place in the premier league side for this weekend's games.
Campbell started the season in third grade.
"Jack bowls consistently and accurately,'' Rees said.
"He took his first wicket in the premier league last weekend and he'll keep his place.
We have some good juniors coming through the ranks here and Jack's certainly one of them.''
Play will break for Christmas after next weekend's matches.
Going into tomorrow's round United leads the premier league on 36 points from Rovers on 32. Wingham with 29 and Port Magpies on 23 round out the top four.
Port Pirates follow on 22 then Wauchope RSL on 20 and Taree West 19.