The final act in Josh Hazlewood's captivating homecoming will be played out on Saturday when Old Boys look to add the finishing touches to their brutal assault of City United at No.1 Oval.
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The 28-year-old, Bendemeer-raised fast bowler, a big hit with the public during his stay, will return to Sydney on Sunday for more rehab on his problematic back - and is expected to resume bowling "mid to late March", Old Boys skipper Ben Middlebrook has said.
But before that happens, he will resume on 31 not out on Saturday afternoon and try to hang around long enough so he can bat with his elder brother, 29-year-old Aaron, who scored an 80-ball 104 in his last innings. Old Boys, the minor premiers in waiting, are 3-107.
The siblings, who share a close bond, were an awesome double act last Saturday: Josh taking three sharp first-slip catches off Aaron's bowling, as the quick finished with a career-best 9-18 off 20.4 overs in the final-round clash - routing second-placed City for 68. In their two previous innings, covering two losses, City scored 63 and 80.
It is hard to imagine Hazlewood's trip home going any better, so far. It is the first time he has played a country cricket match since 2008, when, as a teenager, he featured in Old Boys' grand final loss to North Tamworth.
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Old Boys opener Simon Norvill is annoyed he did not get to bat with Hazlewood last Saturday, after making one. Norvill, the club's president, played with the Australian vice-captain in the 2008 grand final.
Asked how much Hazlewood had changed as a person since moving to Sydney following the match and evolving into one of the world's best bowlers, Norvill said: "Not a lot."
He added: "I guess when he was younger he was a bit more timid when he first played first grade. But then, as he developed with us and with his representative cricket, you could see he was building into what he is now.
"As a bloke he hasn't changed at all. He's always happy to have a beer and catch up when he's in town. That's something he hasn't lost: his acknowledgement of where he comes from."
Before the final round, less than 10 points separated fifth-placed West Tamworth and City.
At Riverside 1 on Saturday, fourth-placed North Tamworth will resume on 6-74 chasing Wests' 134.
Wests captain Shaun Stevenson described as "unreal" his side's rebound with the ball last weekend.
At Riverside 2, third-placed South Tamworth made 225 on day one, with Tom Groth (40) top-scoring and Jye Peterson (6-43 off 20 overs) the Bulls' main weapon. The last-placed Bulls will resume on 0-2.
