Newcastle to host NSW's ING Cup opener

Newcastle will host New South Wales's first ING Cup match of the season on October 24, an encounter that will see Michael Bevan return to face his old team-mates wearing Tasmanian colours. Newcastle started hosting first-class matches in 1981-82, but this is the first time that it has been given an ING Cup game.

Over the past two seasons, Newcastle has hosted Pura Cup games against Western Australia and Victoria. And with Steve Waugh in the New South Wales line-up, the thrilling encounter against Victoria drew 17,654 to the No. 1 Sports Ground last January.