CV launches Country and Metro teams

The inaugural series, which will be played at Under-17 and Under-19 levels, will take place in Cobram-Barooga from September 24 to 27, 2012.

Cricket Victoria Academy coach Shawn Flegler said the series was constructed to replicate match conditions that players will face during the up-coming National Championships.

“We are just looking at getting more game time for the players,” Flegler said.

“It is an opportunity for the players outside of the indoor nets during winter to see guys under game pressure.

“The feedback that we got, especially from the 17s, was we need to see those younger players feel like they are under pressure during games and see how they react.”

Flegler is also hopeful that the series may uncover some hidden gems from the country system that the pathway has previously missed.

“I’m positive we don’t get everyone in the system so hopefully this gives another step to find the country players,” Flegler said.

Training for the sides has taken place during the winter with around 30 players training for each side.

Training will conclude with fitness testing during the first week of September and sides will then be selected.

“We always stress to the players it isn’t the be-all and end-all whether they make the 17s and 19s sides,” Flegler said.

“It’s a long career that we are looking from them so we don’t want to have too much disappointment if they miss out on these sides but it’s obviously a stepping stone for them and every time you play in these sides they is a bit of excitement and the satisfaction that the hard work during the winter has paid off.”

The series will open with a T20 on September 24, followed by two one-day matches on September 25 and 26 and conclude with another T20 on September 27.

Further trial games will follow in Melbourne in late October and early November before the state Under-17 and Under-19 sides are selected for the National Championships, which will commence on December 10 (Under-17) and January 7 (Under-19).

Victorian players that have come from regional areas include; Meyrick Buchanan (Colac), Aaron Finch (Colac), Alex Keath (Shepparton), Andrew McDonald (Albury/Wodonga), Steven Reid (Birchip) Peter Siddle (Morwell) and Cameron White (Bairnsdale).