Daniel Arms has stated his case for selection in this month's Prime Minister's XI curtain-raiser in Canberra having top scored in Lake Mac Attack's first-round T20 Regional Bash victory on Sunday afternoon.
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The Charlestown opening batsman made 45 not out, including three sixes and three fours, as the Attack comfortably chased down the Newcastle Blasters' total of 7-101 at Waratah Oval.
Arms had partnerships of 41, 24 and 41 with Jeff Goninan (20), Nathan Hudson (10) and Jed Dickson (26 not out) during his 31-ball innings.
The Attack (2-106) were two wickets down at the start of the 16th over when they reached the target.
Arms' first-up knock for 2019-2020 follows on from stand out performances in the T20 Summer Bash finals series last season, impressing Newcastle District Cricket Association (NDCA) representative coach Shane Burley.
"He [Arms] has obviously shown he's one of the best T20 cricketers in town," Burley told the Newcastle Herald.
"He's performed pretty consistently in big games now. This representative fixture and the finals series last season.
"As a coach you're looking for players who can do that in those sorts of environments."
The Attack and Blasters have a double header with the Central Coast Rush and Hunter Hitmen this weekend, deciding what team advances to the semis of the NSW Country tournament at the SCG in January.
NDCA selectors will then pick a Newcastle Steel side, made up from the Attack and Blasters, to take on the Canberra Comets at Manuka Oval on October 24.
The one-off encounter in the nation's capital will be played before the PM's XI, including Novocastrian Jason Sangha, host Sri Lanka.
"We'll be looking at that double header and form from today to work out who makes the Steel XI," Burley said.
"Everybody is pretty pumped for that game. It was pretty disappointing to lose our spot in the Sydney competition, but this is a really good fixture.
"And you just never know who might be in the crowd watching. Play out of your skin with a knock or a haul and it could end up doing something for your cricket career."
Attack captain Adrian Chad claimed figures of 4-14 from four overs.
Ben Balcomb (23) and Josh Geary (23 not out) were best for the Blasters, who lost 4-9 midway through their innings. Nick Foster took 2-17.
Play got underway at 3pm after an hour delay.
Also on Sunday, defending champions Central Coast (7-138) beat Hunter (9-111) by 27 runs at Bill Sohier Park.
Meanwhile, Saturday's opening round of the men's NDCA first grade competition was washed out.