Canberra Cavalry boosted by David Kandilas return ahead of Sydney Blue Sox clash

The 'Kandiman' and his fellow Sydney-based Cavalry have been called in to continue the spirited rivalry, now that the ACT government has lifted travel bans to certain areas of the Harbour City.

Canberra has been short-staffed for the entire ABL season due to border restrictions, with many players based interstate. It's forced other teams to loan the Cavalry players, while they've also promoted athletes from their reserves to fill the match-day roster.

All Kandilas could do was watch from afar as the under-strength Cavalry meet the Melbourne Aces 12 times, winning four matches and dropping nine.

The former Minor League outfielder is excited to finally join his teammates in Lismore, where they'll meet the Blue Sox in a four-match series from Friday.

"It's been tough having to watch the guys, not being able to be there, help them and do my bit for the team. In saying that, it shows the resilience and type of guys we have in the clubhouse," Kandilas said.

"I'm pretty sure we haven't had a full roster, maybe around 60 percent capacity, for the majority of the season. So it's been a tough ask for the guys in particular, I'm excited to join the rest of the Sydney-based players and fill out that roster this weekend."

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The series will also mark the revival of Sydney's campaign, with the Blue Sox having had 12 matches cancelled since the Northern Beaches outbreak and related border closures.

"I think it's going to be a great series. There's always a rivalry between Canberra and Sydney, I don't think that's going to change at all," Kandilas said.

"I know quite a few of those guys and they're going to be itching to get out there and rip in. It's going to be a pretty good display of baseball over the weekend and I'm excited."

Baseball Australia added another week to the regular season and announced the ABL's finals format on Wednesday, with the top five teams to be rewarded with a crack at the playoffs.

But for Australian players like Kandilas, there's more than finals to fight for over the coming weeks. It's a chance to impress national selectors and fine tune their preparations ahead of the Olympic qualifiers.

"I know a bunch of the senior guys on the national team are using the ABL season to get ready and do all the final steps for Olympics preparation and qualifiers," Kandilas said.

"It's a pivotal time, the last two to three weeks of the season, to really get going, selections, and represent Australia at the Olympics. It's an ultimate dream of mine."

ABL round six: January 22-24 - Canberra Cavalry v Sydney Blue Sox at Albert Park, Lismore.