It's halfway through the Big Bash summer and the two Mountains cricketers in the line-up are both on track to play in the semi-finals.
Glenbrook's Jordan Silk plays for the Sydney Sixers, currently in second place on the ladder, while Mt Riverview native, Pat Cummins, is with Sydney Thunder who are in fourth position.
It's a massive turnaround for the Thunder, who have been wooden spooners for the past three years. Cummins only joined the team this season but is familiar with the winning feeling, having played last year with tournament champions, Perth Scorchers.
"We have had a great start to our Big Bash campaign with Thunder," Cummins said. "It feels like a fresh start this season, everyone is excited and passionate and it's great to be involved.
"Everyone is contributing in each game so hopefully we can get into the finals."
While his statistics are not compelling, Cummins' captain, Mike Hussey, is full of praise for the young quick.
"I'm asking Pat to bowl at the toughest times, so I'm not concerned about him at all," he told the Sun Herald.
"He's bowling at the end of the power play, a time where the team batting is trying to take advantage and he's also bowling at the death ... it's an extremely difficult job," Hussey said.
Cummins started off well in the first round match against Brisbane Heat, where his captain Hussey (96) and former South African Test all-rounder Jacques Kallis (97 n.o.) combined to set the Thunder up with a massive 1-208. Cummins then took 2-21 as the Heat were rolled by 56 runs.
He also bowled well in the local derby against the Sixers on December 27, when he finished with 1-23 off his four overs, although the Thunder lost by 16 runs.
He then went for 0-31 off 2.5 overs in the loss to the Melbourne Renegades, and 0-39 off four against his old team, Perth.
But Hussey said figures did not tell the entire story.
"He's doing everything I'm asking of him and, unfortunately, sometimes at the end you're going to 'go'.
"There's going to be a couple of games where he's going to pick up those crucial wickets for us and win us games off his own back."
Silk's form for the Sixers has been steady if not spectacular. He wasn't required to bat in the first round win over the Renegades but has since scored 31 n.o. off 23 balls, 23 off 19 and 10 off 14.
He also made a quick-fire 37 off 34 balls in Monday night's thriller against Melbourne Stars. The match ended in a tie before the Stars won in the super over.
Silk and Cummins will meet in the return local derby match on January 22. It is the final game of the regular season and may well determine who ends up in the semi-finals.
- The ladder on Wednesday may be slightly different depending on the result of Tuesday night's match between Adelaide Strikers and Perth Scorchers.
