Cricket Shepparton announces junior representative sides to take on Wangaratta Challenge

Ranging from under-12 to under-16, eight teams square off against selected sides from Wangaratta District Cricket Association.

The youngest teams pad up for two T20s, while the rest hit the oval in the 40-over format.

Cricket Shepparton junior cricket co-ordinator Peter Holland was pleased with current numbers, also mentioning the day doubles as selection for the upcoming Junior Country Week.

“We had over 160 kids through trials for it, so to get eight teams and give as many kids that opportunity to play representative cricket is terrific,” he said.

“It’s all in the lead-up to Junior Country Week which kicks off on January 2. The sides and numbers will come down (for that), so they’re all trialling, in essence, to make a Junior Country Week side.

“But it’s just a great experience to be part of a rep side.”

There’s a decorated history between Cricket Shepparton and the WDCA.

Last year’s edition of the challenge was held in the Goulburn Valley where the hosting association put on a show, meaning the opposition gets the home ground advantage this time around.

Some will have never tasted representative cricket before, while others are familiar with throwing on the Cricket Shepparton colours, but all have one thing in common ― they will experience the thrill of high-quality match play with their peers.

“They’ve introduced under-12s into Junior Country Week this year, so it’d be the first time a lot of these kids will represent Cricket Shepparton which will be a bit of an eye-opener and experience for themselves and the families just to see what it’s all about,” Holland said.

“A lot of the kids who have played before often love the opportunity to play at that next level up.

“To play with their mates at that level and compete against some better quality opposition that will be coming our way.”