It would be appreciated if players, ballboys, umpires, cheerleaders, supporters, punters, friends and supporters and other desperates could be there at 8.30am to confuse chief organiser Matt Devlin.

At the time of print it had been difficult to interview any of the Whipper Snippers as they had been in camp again as they do each year. However, a spokesperson for the youngsters said from Woodstock, where the team had been training since Christmas Eve, that they were expecting to win on the basis of their speed attack.

"We've got blokes here who make Brett Lee look like a spinner," he said.

"We've been lucky to have Shoaib Akhtar and Salim Malik here to coach us. We now know how to pick the ball and pick a winner at the same time."

There was no such trouble finding someone from the Oldies team when Tray Clements volunteered to be a spokesperson.

"As I said on National Nine News and 60 minutes last week, the Golden Oldies need a serious challenge for once. I can't remember when we lost last, probably the year I dropped 12 catches and messed up seven stumpings!"

Another player, who is making his debut, is Ken Willson.

Ken believes it will get back to training. "I normally drink a carton after work but because of the importance of this game I've upped it to two cartons each night. I have one carton while I'm finishing off work and another when I get home. Cindy's really proud of me."

Oldie's skipper Ray Melhuish, who has played in all the matches, says everything is going smoothly.

"I love this time of the year," says Ray.

"Some people love holiday time, some people love Christmas time, some people love Easter Eggs, some people even love Manly but give me this match any day."

Someone who does love Manly is Oldies player Ken McNamara who summed up the whole feeling "I admit that I am a Manly supporter but this sure beats going to school."