Cricket Australia announced the playing schedule for the 2011 Emerging Players Tournament that will see a format change from the traditional competition structure, now heading into its seventh year.
The 2011 event in August will move away from the shorter formats, with a round robin of three-day matches, including matches for the first time in Townsville.
The format changes have the tick of approval from the competing nations with India, South Africa and New Zealand all back for another crack at the title.
Also for the first time this year, matches will be played in Townsville with the redeveloped ‘Endeavour Park’ hosting rounds two and three of competition.
Cricket Australia (CA) General Manager Cricket Michael Brown said the change would give the AIS Scholars a great opportunity to play longer form cricket against quality international opposition.
“The Emerging Players Tournament continues to grow year on year since its inception in 2005 and we will again host three very strong development teams,” Brown said.
“The format change will give the AIS Scholars a good competitive taste of all formats with this longer series complimenting the Twenty20 tournament that will be hosted by the Malaysian Cricket Association just beforehand.
“We are pleased to be able to also take this year’s tournament to Townsville. We feel it’s important to provide a variety of conditions for the development of the players and the new facilities at Endeavour Park with multiple grounds will provide teams with first-class services,” he said.
Squads and further details (including warm-up games) will be confirmed closer to the tournament.
2011 Emerging Players Tournament
Round One: 1 – 3 August
AIS v New Zealand at Allan Border Field (10am start)
South Africa v India at Redlands Cricket Club (10am)
Round Two: 6 – 8 August
AIS v South Africa at Endeavour Park (10am)
New Zealand v India at Endeavour Park (10am)
Round Three: 11 – 13 August
AIS v India at Endeavour Park (10am)
New Zealand v South Africa at Endeavour Park (10am)
Previous winners:
2005: Karnataka (a state team from India)
2006: South Africa
2007: South Africa
2008 New Zealand
2009: India
2010: South Africa and India (title shared due to washed out final)
* CA Media Release
