And that’s a niche that mixes both the razzle dazzle of T20 with development as clubs continue to use the format to provide young players with some “on the job training”.

Integral to both the spectacle and development that comes with T20 in Bendigo is the marquee player, which looking at the round one names last week, the ante has certainly been upped by clubs this season.

Among the marquee players who took to the field last Tuesday night were Carlton paceman Ryan Sidebottom (Golden Square), who has a Sheffield Shield game for Victoria on his CV; Casey-South Melbourne captain Lachlan Sperling (Sandhurst); Richmond-Monash Tigers’ all-rounder Sam Kerber (Bendigo); and Mark Watt (Kangaroo Flat), who only two months ago was representing Scotland in an international series against Hong Kong. 

The inclusion of such players in terms of development is two-fold – both for the team they are playing for as well as their opposition. Take Sidebottom (pictured) for example in Golden Square’s game against Kangaroo Flat under lights.

The opportunity for Golden Square teenage bowler Kyal Rasmussen to get a first-hand look out on the field at Sidebottom in action and to pick his brain can only benefit his cricketing education.

And with the bat for the likes of Kangaroo Flat’s Daniel Barber, Tyler Hinds and Jake Klemm, what an opportunity – as uncomfortable as it may have been – for them to face a bowler of such quality and get a feel for what it’s all about at the next level.

In terms of development, the Twenty20 competition is also proving a solid grounding for future BDCA captains.

Just as most clubs look at T20 as an opportunity to blood young players alongside regular first XI cricketers, clubs are also using it as a platform to expose new players to the pressures of captaincy.

Kangaroo Flat’s Brent Hamblin and Eaglehawk’s Cory Jacobs have both taken over as captains of their clubs this season, but have had some “on the job training” previously as skippers of their Twenty20 teams.

While the Sir John Lienhop Shield for winning the first XI premiership will always remain the most coveted BDCA prize, the T20 competition is serving its purpose in entertainment, bringing crowds to the game and encouraging development.