International cricket has come to The University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus.
Players from India, Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa will take to the pitch at WEP Harris Oval until August 1 as part of both training sessions and limited-over competitions.
The matches started this week, with Indian provincial side Maharashtra XI taking on the Australian Institute of Sport and the UQ Cricket Club, under the watchful eyes of legends Greg Chappell, Bruce Reid and Craig McDermott.
Pakistan A will train at the field against Australia for six days of action from July 8, while an Emerging Players Tournament from July 24 will include talent from India, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.
The AIS side for the Emerging Players Tournament has been named, with hopes the 17-man squad can upstage the New Zealand title defenders.
The sole Queenslander in the side is Alister McDermott, the son of former Australian player Craig McDermott.
Representing New South Wales will be Peter Forrest, Moises Henriques and Steve Smith. Victorians on the side include Jon Holland, Robert Quiney and Matthew Wade, while South Australia has Tom Cooper, Chris Duval, Peter George and Kane Richards. James Faulker and Tom Triffitt are representing Tasmania, while Josh Mangan and Mitchell Marsh are the West Australians on the side.
UQ Cricket Club president Andrew Lossberg said it was the first time the players had taken on a touring international team of the standard of Maharashtra XI, giving his players a massive psychological boost.
"It provides an opportunity for players to show their skills in limited-over cricket and take on overseas players," Mr Lossberg said.
"It reflects the facilities and the UQ support for cricket on campus, by providing excellent facilities to attract international teams on a first-class oval.’"
Mr Lossberg said the UQ club had won the last three one-day championships and two of the last three Twenty20 competitions in Brisbane.
In his capacity as assistant bowling coach for the AIS, Mr Reid said the pitch was perfect for a good game of cricket.
"The ground staff have done an amazing job. The wicket is playing very well. There is a little there for fast bowlers and spinners. We have had a guy make 100 with the bat as well," he said.
"It is good such facilities are available for local clubs and kids. They have an excellent training facility to improve their game.
"If the grounds are good enough for first-grade players to come and play here, it means kids are given every opportunity to succeed. Cricket Australia and the Centre of Excellence picks the best grounds for high-class crickets to play on.
"There is no excuse for talented young players not to go all the way. They are given every opportunity."
Mr Reid said staff from nearby university buildings had been stopping with their lunches to watch the cricket and young players had been using the nets near the oval until it was almost dark this week.
Media: Erik de Wit on 3346 7086 or 0417 088 772.
