Indian recruit Varunesh Sharma returns to the Newcastle District Cricket Association first grade competition on Saturday, but it will be for University against his former club Cardiff-Boolaroo.
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The 30-year-old batsman has been signed by the Sea Dragons for the remainder of 2019-20 and attended training at the Callaghan campus on Thursday afternoon.
His arrival from overseas had been initially delayed by visa issues, meaning Sharma's first assignment will now be the CBs at Pasterfield Sports Complex following a controversial departure midway through last season.
Bakshi is still at CBs and the pair are set to face off in the fifth-round encounter.
"We've been waiting for his [Sharma] visa to get sorted so his first game could have been two or three weeks ago, but now he's pitted against his old club," University captain Matt Gawthrop said.
"He's looking forward to it and he's ready to go."
Gawthrop saw first hand last summer what Sharma is capable of with the willow, scoring a century for Cardiff-Boolaroo against a University bowling attack featuring former first-class seamer Aaron Bird.
Sharma made 456 runs at an average of 65.14 from nine appearances across all formats in 2018-19.
"He can bat," Gawthrop said.
"He'll be good for the club. His whole focus here is cricket so hopefully we can get the best out of him."
University (10) are out of contention to make the Tom Locker Cup final following two straight defeats.
CBs (15) are an outside chance depending on the Pool A result between unbeaten, one-day title holders Hamilton-Wickham (21) and Charlestown (15) at Kahibah Oval.
Sri Lankan-born wicketkeeper Yasiru Kularathana has been named to debut in Waratah-Mayfield's first XI (4) against hosts Stockton and Northern Districts (10) at Lynn Oval.
In pool B, four teams are vying for one spot in the November 24 decider with Wallsend (15) at home to Merewether (15) and Belmont (14) visiting Wests (15) at Harker Oval.
Wallsend welcome back captain Nathan Price from suspension while Merewether skipper Simon Moore has been sidelined with injury. Belmont and Wests have both recorded back-to-back victories after opening the 40-over fixtures with a loss.
City (11) go head-to-head with Toronto (5) at Learmonth Park.
Christie is set to feature in game number 537 having equalled Ian Liddell's record a fortnight ago and then playing alongside his former teammate on the weekend.