Bundy cricketers put to the Test

Darryl Lehmann in a South Australian Redbacks versus Queensland Bulls Twenty20 match in 2007.

BUNDABERG cricketers will take to Salter Oval with an extra spring in their step this season eager to impress officials and be selected to play a squad of the game’s greats.

Local bowlers will have the opportunity to send a ball the way of Greg Matthews and batsmen the chance to score runs off Andy Bichel in an upcoming Twenty20 exhibition match.

Australian Cricketing Association president Darren Lehmann will bring a contingent of Australian greats of the game including Matthews, Bichel, Greg Blewett, Greg Ritchie and Michael Kasprowicz. The ACA All Stars will play exhibition matches in Bundaberg and Gympie in November as part of an eight-leg tour of Australia organised to promote the sport regionally.

Lehmann hoped to unearth some budding cricket talent in Bundaberg and give fans a chance to meet some of their idols.

“Some of the best cricketers this nation has ever seen have been found in regional areas like Bundaberg,” he said.

“We want to get out there and find the next Matthew Hayden and work to grow the game on a regional level.”

Lehmann warned that while the Test representatives might have greyed a little and added a few belt sizes over the years, they would still be bringing a formidable brand of cricket to Bundaberg.

“We’re obviously not going to be playing quite like we did in our prime but there’s a lot of talent in the side and I think it’s safe to say we’ll be highly competitive,” he said.

Bundaberg Cricket Association president Les Bennett said local cricketers would have to fight for a place in the team to play in the exhibition match.

“Selection will be a reward for the players who are putting in the effort and are performing early in the season,” he said.

The match will be played under lights on Friday, November 5 at Salter Oval.