Town vs Country Charity Cup returns with more events

Cricket fans and the wider Narrabri Shire community will have the chance to rub shoulders with some of the state’s cricketing greats when the Tourist Hotel Town vs Country Charity Cup returns to Narrabri this month.

The two-day event will bring together 14 former and current NSW cricketers, with proceeds going to Boundless Psychology to support the provision of free initial psychological services to anyone with a postcode within the Narrabri Shire.

The action begins on Wednesday 14 October, with a dinner and meet-and-greet giving guests the opportunity to hear from the visiting players about their cricket careers and experiences. Malinda Guest, of Boundless Psychology, will provide insights on local mental health services and her role in the community.

Thursday 15 October will be a full day of cricket and community activities, beginning with a school visit in the morning where the players will conduct a coaching clinic.

The event will then move to Collins Park, with an all-abilities cricket match scheduled for mid-afternoon before a free kids’ coaching clinic gets underway at 4pm.

The one-hour clinic is open to junior cricketers aged five to 12, as well as players of all abilities.

It will be run by former Cricket NSW players and national-level coaches, with no equipment required and all junior cricketers welcome.

The headline event will be the Tourist Hotel Town vs Country Charity Cup, beginning at 5pm after a 4.30pm coin toss.

The match will feature players from the Narrabri District Cricket Association alongside current Cricket NSW players, with the visiting contingent also including a host of former NSW representatives.

The Town Heat team will feature Hamish Duncan, Nick Tomlinson, Tom Craig, Jake Brayshaw, Josh Campbell, Matt Conroy, Tom Groth (wk), Nathan Trindall, Andrew Harvey, Jonty Schwager, Jarrett Tough, Baxte Holt (CNSW), Harry Conway (CNSW) and Moises Henriques (coach).

In the Country Thunder team, the lineup includes Matt Bradshaw, Cody Kember, Clay Hoffman, Greg Melton, Zack Doring, Angus Galagher, Waldo Botha, Arno Kruger (wk), Dylan Smith, Alin Chhantyal, Brodie Heron, Steven Phelps, Nick Bertus (CNSW) and Mickey Edwards (coach).

The raffle draw will take place at 6.30pm with the night wrapping up with a post-match catch-up at the Tourist Hotel.

Among the Baggy Blues special guests coming to town are Charlotte Anneveld, Phil Emery, Steve Rixon, Rick McCosker, Don Nash, Gavin Robertson, Moises Henriques, Michelle Goszko, Baxter Holt, Nick Bertus, Mickey Edwards, Ryan Hadley, Geoff Lawson and Harry Conway.

The event will also feature a barbecue, canteen and major raffle prizes, providing an opportunity for the community to enjoy an evening of cricket while supporting an important local cause.