Not only will the Rankin Park 29-year-old have Newcastle representative teammates Nick Foster, Josh Geary and Andrew Somerville alongside him in the NSW Country squad, but his grandparents George and Maureen are also making the trip north to Toowoomba.

"They [my grandparents] have been watching me play since I was a kid and just love cricket," Wivell said.

"They normally have an annual holiday so I think this is a bit of an excuse for them to get away as well. It will be nice to have them there."

READ MORE: City women's skipper Kirsten Smith at home in Bush Breakers cap

Wivell, whose grandfather was an umpire and dad Craig a premiership winner with Wallsend, said lining up for the Bush Blues marks the "highlight of my cricket career".

He has been talking with Wests clubmates Joseph Price and Tom Allen, who have both been away previously with NSW Country.

"It's going to be a good standard of cricket and I'm looking forward to the challenge," Wivell said.

The right-hander is set to open the batting, potentially in both T20 and 50-over formats, and possibly provide some overs with his offies.

Stockton all-rounder Foster, attending his sixth national campaign and recalled after missing last year, will captain the Bush Blues for the first time.

He described the honour as a "sliding doors" moment and said "bonding" as a team would be key to reclaiming the title they last won in 2017-18.

Merewether all-rounder Geary returns for a second straight campaign. Toronto seamer Somerville makes his NSW Country debut.

Newcastle coach Shane Burley continues in his role as Bush Blues assistant while Stockton's David Redden is again the scorer. Former state spinner Anthony Kershler takes over from Jeff Cook as the main mentor.

NSW Country open the nine-day carnival with a T20 double header at Captain Cook Reserve on Friday, meeting South Australia in the morning (9am) followed by ACT in the afternoon (2:30pm).

Meanwhile, former Test trio Michael Kasprowicz, Andy Bichel and Nathan Hauritz are set to line up for a Bulls Masters All Stars against an Australian Country XI, including Bush Blues pair Caleb Ziebell and Scott Burkinshaw, in an exhibition match on Sunday.

NSW COUNTRY: Foster (c), Chris Archer, Alec Baldwin, Adam Berwick, Burkinshaw, Ryan Brown, Geary, Tom Groth, Caelan Maladay, Michael Rixon, Somerville, Kerrod White, Wivell, Ziebell.

While you're with us, did you know Newcastle Herald offers breaking news alerts, daily email newsletters and more? Keep up to date with all the local news - sign up here.