The Cessnock representative team has chopped and changed in the campaign so far because of injuries and player unavailability.

However, captain Brent Watson has assembled a strong line-up for Sunday’s clash to progress to the semi-finals for the first time.

Here are his thoughts on the team:

Jason Varoxis (Mulbring) – Returning to the game from a long break, Varoxis has looked at home at the top of the Mulbring order and will look to give Cessnock a solid foundation.

Matt Hopley (Pedens) – Has the X factor. He single handedly took down an under-19 NSW quick in the previous round. Hopley could again be at the top of the order breaking down the Lower Clarence attack.

Drew Olsen (Mulbring) – Olsen has had some large scores to start the year and will be a big player in this game with his class.

Jason Orr (Bellbird) – One of the top three batsmen in the Hunter Valley, Orr is starting to look good again with the willow and a big score is on the cards.

Joshua Dagg (Greta/Branxton) – In arguably the best touch of his career, Dagg will face an unfamiliar batting position in this game, but he has the class to score in any position.

Greg Andrews (Greta/Branxton) – If Andrews is at the crease for more than 15 overs Cessnock will win the game. The classiest batsman to play in the CDCA for a long time he will also handle the gloves as keeper.

Steven Abel (Wine Country) – A classy all-round, his change of pace with the ball will be invaluable in the closing overs. He will look to build on his 70-plus score with the bat against Singleton in round one.

Brent Watson (Greta/Branxton) – I will need to lead from the front with the ball against a dangerous top order for Lower Clarence.

Robbie Sidebottom (Wine Country) – Returning from an awkward hamstring injury, Sidebottom has been the pick of the bowlers in Cessnock’s 2016-17 season to date. He bowls with nice pace in great areas and will be a danger man with the ball.

Matt Tomlinson (Bellbird) – Tomlinson’s second spell against Inverell turned the game back in Cessnock’s favour. He is a proven big-game performer and seems to pick up big wickets.

Martin Shearer (Greta/Branxton) – Shearer will provide the slower bowling option for the side with the massive loss of Cameron Ross. He can be very difficult to score runs off.

Bryce Element (Greta/Branxton) – Young and raw, Element will be a big player in Cessnock teams for years to come.