CRICKET grounds across the State will be awash with the finest emerging cricketers from regional NSW and the ACT with four youth Championships to be contested during December and January.

During the summer school holidays, Country Cricket NSW, with support from Cricket NSW, will stage the McDonald’s Under 16 Female Country Championships (20 – 21 December), Under 16 Male Bradman Cup (4 – 7 January), McDonald’s Under 19 Women’s Country Championships (5 – 7 January), and the Under 18 Country Colts (10 – 13 January).

“The next month is set to be an exciting period for emerging elite cricketers from across New South Wales and the ACT with the staging of four important Country Championships.

“These championships provide an opportunity for the next generation to test their skill against the best of the best in their respective age brackets and push for higher honours,” Paul Marjoribanks, Chair of Country Cricket NSW said.

McDonald’s Under 19 Women’s Country Championships will be held on January 5–7.

Following on from the Under 16 Female Country Championships, thanks to Port Stephens Council, the Under 19 Female Country Championships will take place at Raymond Terrace.

The event will feature the best emerging female talent from across regional NSW and the ACT, and will this year see the introduction of a 40-over match, in addition to the regular Twenty20 fixtures.

The Under 19 Female Country Championships represents the first stage of selection for the ACT/NSW Country team, where the final team selected competes at the Under 19 Female National Championships, to be held in April 2022.

The remaining two championships are the McDonald’s Under 18 Country Colts (January 10–13) to be held in Bathurst, and Under 16 Male Bradman Cup (January 4-7) to be held in Lake Macquarie.

Port Stephens were also fortunate enough to host McDonald’s Under 16 Female Country Championships held on December 20–21.

“The delivery of such events isn’t possible without the involvement of many parties, and Country Cricket NSW would like to thank and acknowledge event partners Lake Macquarie City Council, Port Stephens Council, and Bathurst Regional Council for their support and the many officials, umpires and volunteers who will assist with the delivery of these four events,” Mr Marjoribanks said.

The eight Country Zones that contest these championships include: Central Coast, Central Northern, Newcastle, North Coastal, ACT Southern Districts, Greater Illawarra, Riverina and Western.

 

By Tara CAMPBELL