Country stars ready to shine

Having last hoisted the trophy aloft in 2006-07, Victoria faces the defending champions in a two-day match during the opening round and is well aware that a victory could set it on the path to further glory.

Since its inception in the 1984-85, the Australian Country Cricket Carnival has produced Test cricketers Andy Bichel, Michael Bevan and Shaun Tait and a handful of national one-day players and first-class representatives including Victoria’s Shane Harwood.

“Obviously NSW and Queensland will be tough to beat, but I think we’ve got the mix of talent and experience to be very competitive,” Victoria Country coach Jason Mathers told The Weekly Times on the eve of the tournament.

The multi-format tournament sees Victoria face South Australia in a one-day fixture in round two before another two-day match against Queensland.

Victoria rounds out its campaign with a one-day game against Western Australia before a Twenty20 against East Asia Pacific.

“We’ve assembled a strong squad,” Mathers said.

“Our bowlers are very strong this year…and we’ve selected a more varied attack which should do well.”

For more information on the Australian Country Cricket Championships, click here.