Following a harrowing health scare, Nathan Yates has been named for Mt Clear in the opening round of the 2020-21 Ballarat Cricket Association campaign.
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The four-time EJ Cleary Medal winner will take his place in the Mountes' line up, in what will be his first game since suffering a brain aneurysm in July.
He will be one of several big names to take the pitch in what is shaping up to be an opening round blockbuster.
Mt Clear captain Jarrod Burns said it would be great for the BCA community to see him back playing cricket.
"In his words, he feels good and is as close to 100 per cent considering," he said.
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"Everyone will love seeing him play, and for us, just having his presence will have a big impact. It's a big bonus and great to see him back playing cricket."
The Mounties just missed out on a grand final berth last season after falling to Golden Point in the semi final. Since then, they've said goodbye to former captain Darcy Thomson, who will open the bowling against his former club on Saturday.
Thomson will play alongside high profile brother Blake, who compiled 719 runs at an average close to 60 to be named in the Victorian Premier Cricket team of the year last season. He agreed to play for East Ballarat temporarily until Melbourne premier cricket resumed.
East Ballarat captain Josh Brown said Blake would open the batting for the Hawks alongside English import Lewis Hodgins.
"It will be good to see Darcy play against his old club, he'll no doubt be ready. It should be a good tough game and hopefully we get the win."
Brown said all-rounder Jack Lalor would also make a start for the club. Lalor joined the Hawks from Northcote in the Melbourne premier ranks. He will likely return to Melbourne when metropolitan competitions resume.
Mt Clear meanwhile will enter the match without reliable opener Matthew Goonan, who is recovering from injury.
His absence will potentially make way for promising youngster Jack Jeffrey. Jeffrey, who is the son of club legend Paull Jeffrey, smashed a score of 70 in a practice match against Darley last week.
Elsewhere Ballarat-Redan will open the season without the services of unavailable paceman Brendan Thomson in its clash with Wendouree at Wendouree Turf.
Recruits Matt Sandford and Daniel Lalor will debut for the Two Swords, while the Red Caps will enter the match with a clean bill of health.
Wendouree will be bolstered by the late additions of spinner Tom LeLieve and wicket keeper Karl Mayne, who have joined the club from Melbourne grade cricket.
