Trent Copeland expects his young side to relish the challenge of taking on David Warner when St George start their season on Saturday.
Saints face a tricky trip to Coogee Oval to face Randwick-Petersham in a limited-overs clash in the opening round of the 2018-19 NSW Premier Cricket season.
St George are preparing for Randwick to include Warner in their side, with the former Australia vice-captain to make his first appearance in grade cricket since the now infamous ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in March.
Randwick, who finished ninth last season after missing the finals by one point, will prove a challenge for a young St George side likely to be shorn of their representative stars.
Captain Copeland, Moises Henriques and Kurtis Patterson could all be missing for Saints pending availability after NSW open their JLT Cup season with a double header in Perth. While Test quick Josh Hazlewood is still recovering from a back injury.
But NSW paceman Copeland said he expected his young St George team, led by stand-in captain Nick Stapleton, to make the most of the experience taking on Warner, the 2016 and 2017 Allan Border Medal winner.
“It’s been spoken about obviously. Everything that happened with Davy and Smudge playing grade cricket full time, I think it’s great they’re able to do that,” Copeland said.
“What a great experience for everyone who gets to play against them. It’ll be challenging for our young bowlers. They had a baptism of fire early last season against Shane Watson. But hopefully one of our quicks knocks Davy over early.
“He’s been training with us for the Blues and he’s been away playing in the Caribbean. It’s great to see him back. Hopefully he saves up his tons for a couple of weeks into the season.
“When I first started playing grade cricket and had the chance to bowl against state players each weekend, I remember coming up against Sutherland and Phil Jaques, that was the challenge. We’d play Wests and you’d be up against Michael Clarke, that was the challenge. That’s how you make a name for yourself and get more overs in grade cricket.
“You start knocking over Test and state players in grade cricket and put your name in front of people for state selection. There’s so many things can come of this.”
Copeland said the inclusion of Warner and Smith in grade cricket this season would be ‘fantastic’ despite not being under the best circumstances, with the benefits for young players around the competition potentially huge.
“No doubt one of the reasons why this is happening is it reinvigorates interest in grassroots cricket,” Copeland said.
“What a thrill for some of those Sutherland juniors and young guys pushing into the first grade side who can strive to be better to be in the same team as Shane Watson, Steve Smith, Ben Dwarshuis, Dan Fallins on a weekly basis. Same at Randwick and guys like Warner.
“Not only the people going to watch but people on the fringe of the dressing room and the exposure they’ll get to these guys. How they prepare and play games, you can’t buy that experience.
“I really wish it extended to Futures League as well. To see two of the great leaders of the country and our best players able to harbour that over a four-day season as well with up and coming talent.
“But grade cricket is what they’re going to play at this stage. I hope they have an impact and I’ve got absolutely no doubt they will because they’re great people.”
St George have signed a handful of new players including Tom Engelbrecht, a leg spinner and damaging middle order batsman who has experience at Futures League level with ACT/NSW Country.
Opening bowler Tom Ortiz has joined Saints from Sydney, while Eric Denhartog returns to the club after a spell on the Gold Coast.
Play starts at 9.30am.
