Country team keen to win back title

This weekend, the Cricket NSW Women's City v Country Championships take place in Wellington, NSW with tension rising between the teams. This year's match is looking to be one of the best ever with the teams evenly matched on paper. Team members from the NSW senior state squad, the NSW Breakers, split to represent their origin to play competitively against each other, in one of the main opportunities for selection before the start of the Women's National Cricket League season.

The Country team has won 7 out of 9 Championships since 1991 but lost last year to Sydney and hence are keen to win the title back, particularly playing in Wellington. Captain Alex Blackwell, from Riverina, is confident in her team and is looking forward to the clash. Alex, a medical student and sports scholarship holder at University of NSW is an integral member of the NSW Breakers and also debuted impressively for Australia in February 2003 in the international one-day quadrangular series and again in the Ashes Test series against England. Captaining the City team is Julie Hayes, also captain for NSW Breakers and an experienced Australian player.

The NSW Breakers first game is at the WACA, Perth, against WA Fury on 22 & 23rd November but NSW selectors are looking at this weekend's fixtures as vital in preparation and performance.

Both teams have an impressive number of Australian Open and Youth squad members - a total of 12 overall. Two one-day, 50-over, games are being held over the weekend at Pioneer Park, Wellington, starting 10.00am.

Also competing are two Emerging Under 23's teams representing City and Country - these teams are made up of players from NSW state squads at A, Under 19 & Under 17 age levels. Again NSW Youth Selectors see this as a key opportunity for players to perform prior to teams for National Championships being announced. Over recent years, the Country Emerging Team has won 5 out of 9 Championships. The Emerging games are one-day, 50 over games and being held at Montefiores Park, start time 10.00am.

Cricket NSW are also taking the opportunity to promote cricket in the Western area with Taryn Ball, Girls Cricket Development Officer, undertaking school visits and coaching clinics in Wellington on Friday 24th. In addition, Taryn is running free cricket fun activities for 5-12 years olds on Saturday at Pioneer Park during the players lunch break. No booking is required - just bring children along by 12.00am.