Cricketers face footy stars on Barrack oval

HEATHCOTE Cricket Club will face Heathcote Football Netball Club in a Twenty20 match on Australia Day at Pigeon Park in Barrack Reserve.

The Mitre 10-sponsored Community Bash on 26 January will hit off at 4pm.

On the field Heathcote Cricket Club has the likes of Tim Gleeson and Rylie Merkel to lead the way with the bat, and Nicholas Malavisi’s spin could trouble the football line-up.

President of Heathcote CC, Alex Williamson is also captain of the team which is playing in the Castlemaine District Cricket Association.

“It’s been a great season so far,” Williamson said of Heathcote’s run to be second in B Brade at the Christmas-New Year break.

The Saints will take on Harcourt on 3 February.

“The match with the footy team is a great tune-up for when our season restarts,” said Williamson of the one-day series of matches.

“The idea of a cricket match with the footy-netball club developed as the footy season went on.

“A few players in our cricket team also play footy for Heathcote,” said Williamson who coaches the Saints’ reserves team.

“Nick Malavisi was co-coach of the under-18s who made their way to the finals.

“There was friendly banter with the footballers for a lot of the season about a cricket match.

“Now we and they have a chance to show their skills with the bat, ball, or in the field.”

The footy team has Codie Price who can bowl quickly and did open the attack for Bendigo United’s third XI a few summers ago.

It’s not all about cricket as there will be a jumping castle, balloon animals, juggling, and music to entertain all ages.

Heathcote Football Netball Club is also gearing up to run its club day on 3 February from 9am until 12pm at Barrack Reserve.

There will be footy and netball clinics for juniors of all ages from 9.30am until 10.30am, and training for the Saints’ senior footballers and netballers.

A registration and information for the Saints’ junior footballers and netballers will also be run and club merchandise and apparel will be on sale through S2 Sport.