The humble surrounds of Chisholm Oval will set the scene as two of the most highly-anticipated comebacks in Australian cricket gather steam with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood set to play for the Comets.
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The Australian fast bowlers had an idea they would be playing in Canberra this season - but a Test match against Sri Lanka at Manuka Oval on February 1 was more likely what they had in mind.
Cummins and Hazlewood will share the new ball for the ACT/NSW Country Comets against Western Australia in a Futures League clash at Chisholm Oval beginning on Monday.
The duo haven't played since Australia's forgettable Test series in South Africa with their workloads being carefully managed ahead of next month's one-day international series against the Proteas.
Cummins and Hazlewood sent down 22 overs apiece for NSW Metropolitan in the Futures League last week and passed with flying colours, opening the door for them to turn out again this week for the Blues' affiliate.
The pair have both declared themselves fit for the South African series, to which the fallout from the ball tampering saga in Cape Town will play an interesting subplot.
Match practice is crucial for the fast bowlers as Australia prepares for a home summer in the absence of Steve Smith, David Warner and Cam Bancroft.
Hazlewood and Cummins are likely to be thrown straight into the international cauldron should Cricket Australia's medical staff be satisfied with their fitness as they return from back injuries.
Comets coach Kyle Piper is determined to break down the ACT's mindset about simply participating in games, adamant the only way Canberra products can reach higher honours is if they are competing and winning.
The experience of two of the world's most menacing quicks will do wonders for shifting the landscape of the Comets.
"It’s a great privilege for our side to have two of the premier fast bowlers in the world play with us for the week," Piper said.
"Josh and Pat will help us compete this week, but I am sure our group will learn so much from them that will stand us in good stead to compete moving forwards.
"The opportunity for our aspiring quicks of Greg West, Tom Pinson, Hayden Kerr and Nathan McAndrew to spend the week with Josh and Pat is one I know they are highly respectful of and one that is invaluable."
The Australian pair become two of the biggest stars to turn out for the Comets but they are in a side featuring no players currently plying their trade in Canberra for the second straight match.
The likes of NSW players Trent Copeland, Daniel Hughes, Nick Larkin and Jason Sangha played for the Comets during their round one thrashing of Queensland.
However Piper's squad does boast a handful of Canberra products now playing premier cricket in Sydney in Ben Taylor, Matt Gilkes, Henry Hunt, Blake Macdonald and Prime Minister's XI 12th man Tom Engelbrecht.
"North Canberra and Daramalan junior Ben Taylor demonstrated his progress in the last fixture. He has taken his ability to compete to the next level," Piper said.
"It’s also great to have former Queanbeyan and ACT Under 17 and 19 player Henry Hunt back at the top. Henry has a great work ethic and ability to compete each and every time he takes the field.
"He makes us better and we love having him in our group."
FUTURES LEAGUE ROUND 2
Monday-Thursday: ACT/NSW Country Comets v Western Australia at Chisholm Oval, 10.30am.
ACT/NSW Country squad: Jay Lenton (WK) (C), Henry Hunt, Matt Gilkes, Blake Macdonald, Hayden Kerr, Pat Cummins, Tom Engelbrecht, Nathan McAndrew, Josh Hazlewood, Ben Taylor, Tom Pinson, Greg West.
