Bundoora United and Montmorency’s round nine clash in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association’s Money Shield will take on extra significance this year.
The two sides will play in a standalone one-day match on Australia Day, in what they hope to make an annual tradition between the two clubs.
United president Grant Flack said idea of playing on Australia Day was something the club thought could attract more people to watch local cricket.
“You look at football and you’ve got sides playing on ANZAC Day and Good Friday and had really good success with that,” he said.
“We wanted to do something similar and get more people to the game and make it a special day.
“We asked the competition and they agreed to our request to host the match on Australian Day.”
When approached Montmorency was keen to get involved, with Flack saying as long as the two sides were in the same grade, they would look to play each other on Australia Day, alternating who hosted the game.
Local MP Colin Brooks and councillor Rick Garrotti will be attendance and the national anthem will be played before the start of play.
A medal will be awarded to the player adjudged best on ground and there will be entertainment post game
If the current matches are anything to go by it could be a high scoring affair.
Both teams are in control of their round eight matches after day one of two-day clashes.
An unbeaten 101 to century to Imesha Udayanga guided United to 5-292 against Whittlesea.
Umar Razaq chipped in with 63.
Montmorency made 9-303 against Lalor Stars.
In other matches, Lower Plenty is 0-3 chasing Heidelberg’s 116, Mernda is 0-2 chasing Eltham’s 206 and Banyule made 9-174 against Plenty Power.
In the top division, the Barclay Shield, Old Paradians/St Francis is on track to defeat North Eltham Wanderers.
The Wolves bowled the Wanderers out for 103, with five players taking two wickets each. The Wolves will resume on 2-37.
Epping is chasing Rosanna’s 8-207, while Riverside made 4-240 against Bundoora. Macleod made 250 against Lower Eltham and Diamond Creek is on top against Research Eltham Collegians after making 9-276.
