And it’s once again the lure for Wendouree cricketers, who can book a place on the hallowed turf with victory in Sunday’s Statewide T20 Cup semi-final.

The Red Caps will meet Mornington Peninsula side Pines, with the two looking to secure a berth in the decider against the winner of the other semi-final, between Altona North and Bentleigh Uniting.

Wendouree will be led by captain Matt Smith, who guided the team to victory in last season’s Cricket Willow Cup, which earned the team another crack at the Victoria-wide T20 crown. Wendouree has twice won the state title, in 2010 and again in 2012.

“The boys are pretty pumped about it, with another opportunity to the play on the G. It’s been a little while since we have been there and obviously know what the experience is like, so we want to make sure we get to experience that again,” Smith said.

“It’s not just for us as players, but the committee and the supporter base is really on board with this competition.

“There has been a lot of chit-chat about making sure we go into this game fully prepared, because it is a proud club and it has got a great history. The club wants to really keep getting its name out there throughout Victoria as being a strong country Victorian cricket club.”

Smith said he had done a bit of research on Sunday’s opponents, who travel to take on the Ballarat Cricket Association powerhouse.

“From what I can see, they are second or third bottom in their division in club cricket this year, but it is division one and quite a strong standard down there,” Smith said.

“Looking at the Twenty20 side of things, they have beaten Baden Powell – who won it last year – so they have knocked off some good teams on the way through.”

Sunday’s clash begins noon at Ballarat’s Northern Oval.

WENDOUREE TEAM

v Pines, Northern Oval, Sunday, noon

Cole Roscholler

Liam Brady

Heath Pyke

Jack Peeters

Matt Smith (c)

Andrew Pitson

Scott Carey

Brandon Weatherson

Eamon Johnson

Sam Peeters

Jordan Oliver