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Defence cricket heads towards a World Cup
By Barry Rollings
Volume 49, No. 17, September 20, 2007 |
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BOWLED OVER: CPL Ricky Mace from RAAF Base Amberley delivers the ball while fellow ADF players watch on during cricket training in Brisbane in preparation for the upcoming Defence Cricket Challenge in November.
Photo courtesy of WO1 Lindsay Holmes |
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Big events grow from small beginnings and that’s the plan for the International Defence Cricket Challenge (IDCC) in Canberra in November.
The organisers expect the inaugural event to become a Defence World Cup which, in military status, will be the equivalent of that in which our Aussie men in yellow famously dominate on the world professional limited-over stage.
The challenge, in Canberra from November 19 to 23, has attracted two teams from Britain and two from New Zealand to do battle with four Australian Defence Organisation teams.
Teams taking part will include the Navy, Army and Air Force, the Australian Services Cricket Association (ASCA) President’s XI, the Royal New Zealand Air Force, New Zealand Army, the Royal Engineers (UK) and the Adjutant-General’s Corps (UK).
Games will be played as one-day fixtures under International Cricket Council rules. The tournament will involve a series of pool matches – preliminaries, semi-finals and plate finals – before the IDCC grand final on November 23.
“Cricket is a game of fair play, teamwork, and social interaction,” tournament organiser LTCOL James Brownlie said.
“Matches foster a spirit of goodwill, healthy competition and a greater understanding between competitors. ASCA has developed this activity to provide an opportunity for the defence forces of Australia, NZ and the UK to further enhance defence partnerships through cricket.
“A few people have flagged the idea of a Defence Cricket World Cup, so this will be a pilot for that concept,” he said.
Teams will arrive in Canberra on November 15 with practice matches starting the next day.
“The grand final day will incorporate a number of activities aside from the match,” LTCOL Brownlie said.
“A military helicopter will land the IDCC trophy on the ground, with a parade of players before play begins.
“A presentation function will be held at ADFA and an ASCA reunion dinner will be run in conjunction, with several former Test players, who are also former Servicemen, to be invited.
“We shall select a World Defence XI based on performances at the carnival.”
The IDCC committee needs four team liaison officers to meet and escort the four international teams while four ground managers are also required.
Anyone interested should contact LTCOL Brownlie on (02) 62655061 or email james.brownlie@defence.gov.au or for further Service cricket information, visit ascacricket.net.au/IDCC.htm
| IDCC match matters |
- The IDCC will be competed in Canberra from November 19-23, with practice matches from the 16th.
- ADF, New Zealand and UK teams will participate.
- The ADF World Defence XI will be selected from the series.
- The series is being held in conjunction with Cricket ACT and the DSG.
- Several supporting activities are planned for the grand final day.
- Liaison officers and ground managers are required to assist with the series.
- The series will be used to support Legacy, with a cheque to be presented on conclusion.
- The ADF teams include former State representatives.
- While the ASCA has toured, this is the first time foreign non single-Service Defence teams have toured Australia. |
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