Australia Day Challenge organiser Drew Mudaliar said the competition is family friendly and open to everyone. 

“It’s all inclusive, new players, men, women and juniors are welcome,” Mr Mudaliar said. 

Play uses modified rules and a short-innings format to run a series of games throughout the day. 

He said play was likely to run as a knockout tournament with plenty of food and drinks available for teams and spectators. 

“Last year’s winners, the Backyard Cricketers, will be defending their title earnestly,” Mr Mudaliar said. 

Everyone is encouraged to get some work-mates or friends together and enter a team by contacting Drew Mudaliar on 0429 906 362. 

More information on the tournament will be released next week. 

Meanwhile, two club juniors Morgan Thornton, 11, and Jessie Mudaliar, 12, are off to Orange over the next few weeks to represent the ACT in the annual Western Districts Junior Carnival. 

“The Orange Carnival has developed a good reputation as a well run competition with first class facilities and attracts some of the best junior cricketers throughout the state,” Mr Mudaliar said.

Morgan will turn out for the under 12 ACT Comets after a successful season with the team in the Sydney Districts competition.

Morgan has also been excelling in the local under 14 competition averaging 43 with the bat and leading the team’s bowling stats.

Jessie Mudaliar will play for the under 15 ACT Meteors (female) team.

Jessie has also been performing well in the local under 14 boy’s competition and under 12 representative team opening the bowling, while also averaging 23 with the bat.

Jessie will also participate in the Emerging Meteors Cup in Canberra on January 29.

Club members said this was a fantastic opportunity as she will get to mix with senior ACT Meteors and Women’s Big Bash League players.

Play returns for the seniors in regular local competition this weekend with the Eden side set to host Merimbula one. 

Eden will be looking to its bowlers to crumble the defensive Merimbula batting line-up with captain Tyrone Thomas to lead the charge alongside Tom Foat and young gun Patrick Kearney.

The side is also in form with the bat where Mudaliar, Mark Spink and Tim Bowes are showing up admirably. 

Play will run at the Eden Cricket Ground from 1pm on Saturday.