McDonald hit 42 off 29 balls, including two big sixes, as the Border side posted an imposing 5-192 off its 20 overs.

It was the former New City player’s first appearance on home turf in 17 years.

Wagga could only manage 8-164 in reply despite a gallant 62 from Kurt Robertson.

Two wickets each from the Bullets’ Zac Simmonds, Cameron White and Nathan Brown were key to containing Wagga.

Bullets captain Trent Ball said he wanted his side to step up, and they were true to his words.

“We’ve prepared to play like that,” he said.

“It was an amazing game and I didn’t think Wagga would get close after we made 190.

“Kurt Robertson batted magically and now we can’t wait for Sydney.”

Ball and Alex Popko clattered the Wagga bowlers early, putting on 49 for the first wicket in a flurry before the captain fell for 31.

Ball said the atmosphere energised Popko and himself as they went out to the middle.

“The atmosphere of the crowd made us want to hit every ball for six,” he said.

“Knowing what we could achieve at the end of the day had us ready to go.”

Ball said there was breathing room knowing the firepower further down the order.

“Alex and I went hell for leather at the start,” he said.

“With Cade Brown and Andrew McDonald coming after us it relieved us a bit and gave us a licence to do what we wanted.”

Two spectacular catches from Drew Cameron and Jack Craig saw Wagga’s Jack Harper (13) and Aaron Maxwell (32) back in the pavilion at crucial stages of the match.

Ball said his side had done the training required to hold on to such catches.

“We’ve done that training for six weeks and the hard work we put in showed,” he said.