Counting down the sleeps until the pre-Christmas Bendigo Bank Big Bash are Cody Hazelgrove-Danvers (batting) and (from left) Jack Allen, Dave Allen, Bendigo Bank Pambula branch manager Kim Stevenson and Justin Roscoe.
LOCAL cricket lovers are reminded that just days remain until the inaugural Bendigo Bank Big Bash.
The marquee Twenty20 contest, the first of its kind in the Bega Valley, will be held at George Griffin Oval, Bega on Friday.
The teams have been selected and organisers are putting the finishing touches on the event’s preparations.
Organiser Dave Allen has confirmed that dancers and acrobats will provide half-time entertainment.
Special guest will be Greg Matthews, the former Australian Test spinner.
Last week, it was announced that Matthews will be a “wildcard” player for the Big Bash (BDN, 14/12).
Matthews, 53, will be allowed to bowl for either side on Friday, brought onto the field at the respective captains’ request.
All eyes will be on the veteran off-break spinner as he takes on some of the best players from the Far South Coast.
Local cricket identities Dick Blacka and John Dedman have selected the two sides for the match.
The teams were selected from a list of players who made themselves available for the game.
Headlining the first team will be Tathra all-rounder Adam Blacka, with support from the likes of Bega/Angledale pair Andrew Dedman and Sam Hodder.
Providing star power in the opposition line-up is Tathra’s Pete Bennett and Ben O’Reilly, and Pambula opening batsman Shane Garrett.
The Bendigo Bank Big Bash day will start at 3pm with some junior cricket clinics.
These clinics will be led by Matthews, Far South Coast Cricket Association coaching director John Dedman, Merimbula club coach Andy Wright, and Kane Radford from Cricket NSW and the Sydney Thunder.
At 4pm, a Kanga Cricket match will be played as a curtain raise to the Big Bash from 5pm.
