Selectors have had to make five changes to the side which was beaten in the O’Farrell Cup challenge two weeks ago

Unavailable are Luke Berkrey, Adam Twyford, Ryan Connell, Gene Kessell, and Brendan Gale with Colin Slater, Ray James, Mal Sutherland and Nicholas Holt entering the side.

For Sutherland and Holt, this match marks their Cootamundra First XI debut. 

Berkrey has been the side’s leading run scorer and wicket taking making his omission from the squad a real blow.

Cootamundra finished second in the five preliminary rounds, defeating Yass and Young and receiving forfeits from Gundagai and Temora.

Their only loss came against Wagga in round two of the Stribley Shield competition. 

For the third consecutive season, Wagga are undefeated in the preliminary rounds making them stiff competition. 

That said, last season they lost the final to Yass by seven runs; a result which gives Cootamundra hope heading into the final Stribley Shield game of the season.

This appearance by Cootamundra’s First XI squad marks their 15^th Stribley Shield final in the past 19 seasons.

A new Stribley Shield will be presented to the premiers, who will also receive premiership caps.

This year marks the inaugural year that the Player of the Final will be presented with the Arthur Stacey OAM Medal.

Arthur was a leading figure in the Northern Riverina Cricket Council and the only person to hold the title of president twice.

He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2003 for his service to Temora cricket and passed away in 2008, aged 76.

Two of Arthur’s sons Chris and Arty are enjoying success as part of the Temora team which defended the O’Farrell Cup against Holbrook last Sunday.

Wagga’s Tony Hackett and Stephen Poidevin, of Yass, will umpire the game.

For Poidevin, this will be the 10^th Stribley Shield final he has officiated in. 

The match commences at Robertson Oval at 10am.

Cootamundra last appeared in a Stribley Shield final in the 2014-15 season going down to Wagga while their last win came in 2013-14 defeating Wagga.

They held the trophy in 1999-2000, from 2001-02 until 2005-06 and in 2011-12.