Ppremier Cricket's "On the road again"

Country venues across Victoria are eagerly anticipating next weekend's Victorian Premier Cricket Round 11 fixtures. For the fifth successive season, the Country Round of one-day matches will re-commence the Premier season after the Christmas break.

Five venues - Castlemaine, Eaglehawk, Lavington, Numurkah and Torquay - will host Premier Cricket for the first time, with the match between St.Kilda and South Melbourne at Lavington the first ever Premier Cricket match to be held outside Victoria.

Chief Executive Officer of Cricket Victoria, Mr Ken Jacobs said the round was very important for cricket in regional Victoria. "We operate in an era of extremely busy scheduling and an unfortunate result is that country matches rarely feature on the tour itineraries of visiting international teams any more". He added "we believe the Country Round plays an increasingly important role in delivering high standard cricket to country regions, particularly given the availability of Victorian Bushrangers players".

Northcote and Bushrangers fast-bowler Mick Lewis said the round was one players looked forward to every year. "It's always an enjoyable round. I like the chance to play in different towns across Victoria and the facilities and hospitality given to us is first-class". Lewis said the matches created a unique atmosphere. "There's generally very good crowds at the games and an atmosphere that only country people can create".

NORTHCOTE v FRANKSTON PENINSULA at Numurkah Showgrounds, Numurkah
Player watch: Darren Berry, Mick Lewis, Ian Harvey, Rob Bartlett (N'cote) Matthew Mott, Shawn Flegler, Luke Walker (F/Pen)

ST KILDA v SOUTH MELBOURNE at Lavington Sports Ground, Lavington NSW
Player watch: Michael Klinger, Nick Jewell, Graeme Rummans, Dan Horsley (St Kilda) Grant Gardiner, Roger Sillence (Sth Melb)

ESSENDON v DANDENONG at Camp Reserve, Castlemaine
Player watch: Mathew Inness, Ben Fletcher, Vikram Solanki (Ess) Warren Ayres, Cameron White, Will Carr (Dand)

CARLTON v CAMBERWELL MAGPIES at Deakin Reserve, Shepparton
Player watch: Matthew Elliott, Peter Harper (Camb Mag) David Harris (Carl)

GEELONG v HAWTHORN-MONASH UNI at Spring Creek Reserve, Torquay
Player watch: Clinton Peake, Damien Koliba (Geel) Peter Roach, Simon Dart (Haw-MU)

FITZROY DONCASTER v MELBOURNE at North Ballarat Oval, Ballarat
Player watch: David Plumpton, Brendan Joyce (F-D) Brad Hodge, Rob Cassell, Simon Cook, Shane Harwood, Andrew McDonald (Melb)

RINGWOOD v RICHMOND at Wangaratta Showgrounds, Wangaratta
Player watch: Darren Dempsey, Craig Howard (Ring) Ian Hewett, Matt Albers (Rich)

FOOTSCRAY-VIC UNI v MELBOURNE UNI at Canterbury Park, Eaglehawk
Player watch: Daniel Lowery, Ashley Robertson, Geoff Allardice (MU) Dale McDonald, Duncan Brede (F-VU)

PRAHRAN v NORTH MELBOURNE at Princes Park, Maryborough
Player watch: Jason Arnberger, David Hussey, Jon Moss, Bryce McGain (Prah) Liam Pickering, Shannon Waters (NM)