The all-rounder has had a disappointing start in Cricket Albury-Wodonga, but is looking to find form when the Blues meet ACT in T20 and 50-over games in Canberra next week.

"Just putting on the country Baggy Blue (cap) is definitely the best feeling I've had in cricket, growing up in country NSW (Shellharbour, near Wollongong), you can't beat it," he said.

"Growing up, you always idolised the local blokes that made the NSW Country side."

It's the left-arm off-spinner and left-hand batsman's fourth selection for Country, while he's been joined by Lavington paceman Ryan Brown.

The Australian Country Championships, which are traditionally held in early January, were cancelled due to COVID-19, so the new mini format is a chance to reward the State's representative players.

Ironically, it was a meeting at representative level that led to the Canberra resident making the weekly trip to the Border.

"(Corowa coach) Jarryd Hatton and I played against each other in a NSW Country Championships match, we were at each other's throats but then played together for the ACT-NSW Country Comets and we've formed a really close friendship," he explained.

Mitchell, who turned 29 on Thursday, makes no apologies for his aggressive style.

"I play my cricket exactly the same, regardless of the level, every team I play for, I want to do them justice," he said.

"I like to lead from the front and, yeah, be quite aggressive and take the pressure off the other boys in the team.

"I don't like to be the bad guy ... sometimes that backfires and they (my team-mates) walk into a cauldron.

"I've never backed down but, again, I always respect the game and your opponent, not once in my life have I ever been cited or suspended."

Mitchell spent a handful of seasons with Randwick Petersham and Sydney Cricket Club in the tough NSW Premier league.

He's had a tough introduction, positing only 71 runs at 10, while snaring nine scalps.

"Playing wise (batting), I definitely haven't lived up to expectation and I don't have any excuses, but I think the expectation of the club in me away from the field, teaching younger players, has been there," he offered.

IN OTHER NEWS:

In Saturday's first match back, Corowa hosts Albury, North is home to St Patrick's, Tallangatta travels to East Albury, Wodonga Raiders stage the derby against Wodonga, while Belvoir hosts New City:

The ladder is: North 51, East 42, Albury 39, St Pat's 36, Belvoir 36, Wodonga 33, Lavington 33, Corowa 30, Tallangatta 24, New City 21, Raiders 15.