International Twenty20 Cricket Comes to Melbourne's Suburbs for Charity

It was a big win for charity and an historic moment for the Lower Eltham Cricket Club (LECC) from suburban Melbourne, who hosted a match against members of the Papua & New Guinea National team in an eight-a-side Twenty20 match on Sunday.

The team from PNG included five national players, two under 19 representative players and one under 17 representative player.

Batting first, the PNG side blasted 6/129 from their 20 overs. In reply LECC were dismissed for 101 in the 17th over. Both innings saw towering sixes and there was some top-drawer fielding on an oval that is in fabulous condition following recent rain.

Local State Member of Parliament Craig Ondarchie was on hand to present the Man of the Match award to 15 year-old keeper Dogodo Bau (32 from 17 balls), along with commemorative medals for all players.

The day was organised by Last Man Stands (www.lastmanstands.com) in collaboration with the ICC East-Asia Pacific offie and LECC. Last Man Stands (North East Melbourne) Director Damian Waldron said a range of cricket equipment was collected and donated to Cricket PNG.

"A number of bats, pads, balls, gloves and other pieces of equipment were donated by LECC members to assist in grass roots development of cricket in PNG," Mr Waldron said.

"Many thanks are due to Craig Ondarchie (MLC), Adam Cassidy from the ICC, Cricket PNG CEO Bill Leane and the PNG side, Lower Eltham President Daniel Sullivan and the many club members whose efforts and donations made the day possible."

"The local boys were very competitive against a side that is (ranked 23 in the world) attempting to play at a Tier 2 One-Day International level. Hopefully we can make this an annual event in Eltham."

"Last Mans Stands is an eight-a-side Twenty20 Cricket format that is energetic and social and caters for all ability levels. The reduced number of fielders offers opportunities for aggressive batting and some further subtle rule changes guarantee that matches are completed in just over two hours. Any group of eight friends can register a team through www.lastmanstands.com." he said. For enquiries email northeastmelbourne@lastmanstands.com.au.

Leagues are running throughout suburban Melbourne and other cities and towns in Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Zimbabwe and the Middle East. Batting and bowling statistics for individuals and teams are ranked against a database of over 14000 players and regional, national and world championships are held regularly.