Cricket ACT to host invitational tri-series across Canberra

Cricket ACT is hosting an invitational tri-series across Canberra, commencing next Monday, 11 January 2021.

The competition will feature the ACT Comets as well as visiting teams from NSW Country and QLD Country.

The series is the brainchild of Cricket ACT’s General Manager – High Performance, Olivia Thornton. Though the Australian Country Cricket Championships were paused for the 20-21 season due to COVID-19, Ms Thornton recognised that the appetite for high performance fixtures remained and that Canberra had the facilities to host them.

Cricket ACT reached out to governing bodies across the country to find a way to host competitive playing opportunities while also maintaining COVID protocols with respect to player safety and border closures.

The final product was for four teams: ACT Comets, NSW Country, QLD Country and a NSW Indigenous team. Unfortunately, the NSW Indigenous squad had to withdraw due to the recent outbreaks in Sydney, however we are looking forward to continuing our partnership with them in the future.

ACT will be fielding an exceptionally strong team. Blake Dean, Djaji Bloomfield, Tom Vane Tempest, Sam Skelly, Ben Taylor and Rhys Healy are all available for selection, and all have playing experience of 2^nd XI or higher. The squad also features exciting Ginninderra prospect Ethan Fitzpatrick, and Scott Murn, whose performances in the CDC Bash North V South Series forced him into contention for higher honours.

The first three games, all T20s, take place at EPC Solar Park commencing 09:00AM Monday 11 January 2021. The tournament continues over the course of a week, featuring three 50-over matches and three additional T20s.

Full fixtures:

ACT Comets Squad: Nic Broes (WDCC), Tom Vane Tempest (TVCC), Rhys Healy (GDCC), Dean Solway (QDCC), Josh Staines (TVCC), Ben Taylor (NCGCC) (Captain), Tyler Van Luin (QDCC), Hanno Jacobs (ANUCC), Sam Skelly (WDCC), Ollie Anable (TVCC), Scott Murn (WDCC), Finlay McGurk (NCGCC), Lewis Evans (TVCC), Ethan Fitzpatrick (GDCC), Joe Slater (WCMCC), Mark Solway (QDCC), Djali Bloomfield (WCMCC), Blake Dean (WDCC)

NSW Country Squad: Daniel Arms, Luke Docherty, Ryan Brown, Adrian Chad, James Julious, Nick Foster (Captain), Tom Groth, Nathan Hudson, Ben Mitchell, Dan Bailey, Brynley Richards, Ryan Van Kemenade, Kerrod White, Alec Williams

QLD Country Squad: Justin Reid, Craig McElligott, Sam Lowry, Angus Warnock, Jake Roach, Chris Stanger, Cam Brimblecombe, Justin Dixon, Adam Zabala, Joe McGahan, Logan Whitfield, Chris Gillam, Arden Lankowski, Mason Kohler