Launch Of The Telstra International Defence Cricket Challenge 2009

The second running of the Telstra International Defence Cricket Challenge will commence tomorrow at various grounds in the nation’s capital. This year’s tournament builds on the success of the 2007 event and welcomes all three Australian service teams, the three New Zealand service teams and for the first time teams from Asia in the form of the Royal Malaysian Air Force team and the Indian Armed Forces team.

Over 180 participants will be involved in up to eight games of cricket in both Twenty20 and One Day Limited Overs formats from the 18th to the 26th of November. The tournament will culminate with the Telstra IDCC 09 Grand Final to be played on Manuka Oval in Canberra on the 26 November 2009.

“The spectacle of so many different cricketing styles on display in the one event is tantalising and one which we are all looking forward to” said Brigadier Stephen Dunn, the President of the Australian Services Cricket Association (ASCA). ASCA are the tournament coordinators. An exciting addition to this year’s tournament will be a match between a selected World Defence XI and an Australian Cricketers Association Master’s side. The best players from the eight defence sides will be drawn together on the 27 November to play a Twenty20 against the ACA Masters team that will include former test players Darren Lehmann, Michael Bevan, Greg Matthews, Craig McDermott and Greg Campbell. That game will commence at 1.00pm at Manuka Oval in Canberra.

Admission to all tournament games is free, although tournament organisers are asking for a gold coin donation to the IDCC Grand Final and the World XI verse ACA Masters game. All money raised will be given to the McGrath Foundation who is the official charity of this year’s tournament.

“To have some of the best Defence cricketers in the world come up against some of the best players Australia has ever produced will be an amazing game and an honour for Services cricket, ” Brigadier Dunn said.

I would strongly encourage all lovers of the game of cricket to come along to Manuka Oval on the 27th of November. They will witness a tremendous match and assist us supporting the McGrath Foundation.”

ENDS