The Hamilton-Wickham all-rounder was named in the 12-man Newcastle squad to play NSW Second XI in a three-day match at No.1 Sportsground from February 28.

It will end a three-year absence for the popular larrikin, who has previously made himself unavailable for higher honours, despite being one of the premier cricketers in Newcastle.

‘‘I didn’t make myself available, but they picked me,’’ Webber said.

‘‘I’ve still got to sort things out with work, but I should be right to go.’’

Webber is the runaway leader in the Newcastle Herald cricketer of the year race after taking 44 wickets at 9.98 and scoring 475 runs at 47.50 this season.

‘‘I’m very competitive – just the extra training and workload [of rep cricket] have kind of put me off,’’ he said.

‘‘Playing this game will be a good indication of where Newcastle cricket is at compared to cricket in Sydney.

‘‘I’ll play this game. I’m not going to make myself available for next season immediately, but I’ll see how it goes.’’

The unavailability of senior rep players Simon Moore, Troy Goodwin, Mark Dries, Pat Darwen and Andrew Maher due to work commitments has provided an opportunity for the young guns of Newcastle district cricket to showcase their wares.

Belmont and ACT under-19 wicketkeeper-batsman Beau McClintock has been given the gloves for his senior rep debut at the expense of University’s Kurt Neely.

‘‘Figures wise, Kurt’s batting is probably a bit stronger, but being a three-day game we’ve opted for who we think is the better keeper, and at this stage I think Beau probably is,’’ chairman of selectors Phil Stanbridge said.

Newcastle has a wealth of bowling options but Stanbridge said there would be plenty of pressure on captain Mark Littlewood and Wallsend batsman Brett Jackson to provide the runs.

‘‘It’s a three-day game and I imagine there might be a bit of grass on the wicket,’’ he said. ‘‘Personally I just hope the batting holds, because I think the bowling will be OK and some of these younger blokes need to step up to the plate.’’

Newcastle squad: Mark Littlewood (c), Beau McClintock (Belmont), Kaine Harmsworth, Josh Geary (Merewether), Sam Webber, Josh Trappel (Hamwicks), Brett Jackson, Matthew Wicks (Wallsend), Nick Foster (Stockton), Josh Emerton, Luke Bird (University), Jesse Major (Newcastle City)