Victorian Vikings to face All Stars

Following the Victorian All Abilities Cricket Carnival earlier this year, the Vikings, which consists of players with an intellectual disability, were selected to represent their state and will pull on the Big V for the first time this weekend in a Forty40 encounter at the Geelong Cricket Ground.

The All Stars line-up is comprised of players that have been invited to train with the Vikings squad during the year, which includes past and present Australian ID players. Among the interested onlookers will be Melbourne Renegades batsman Michael Hill and Melbourne Stars all-rounder John Hastings, who will be present at the encounter.

According to Vikings coach Campbell Waring, both sides are looking forward to squaring off against each other in a wonderful advertisement for all abilities cricket.

“It’s really exciting and it’s great that they are able to participate and represent their state and are no longer a team in name only,” Waring said of the Vikings.

“A lot of these players are club cricketers from across the state and there are some very good players (in both teams).

“Hopefully this leads to playing another state in the New Year or next season as that would be the next advancement in the program.”

The Forty40 clash will be held from 11am to 5pm at the Geelong Cricket Ground on Sunday, October 30 and admission is free.

For more information on The Victorian all abilities cricket pathway please Like Harmony in Cricket on Facebook and have a look at the All Abilities video clip: facebook.com/pages/Harmony-in-Cricket

Please note, a media opportunity with Victorian Vikings coach Campbell Waring and captain Gavan Hicks will be conducted from 2pm on Thursday, October 27 at Eastern Oval, Ballarat. Interested media are asked to phone Campbell Waring (0427 839 548) to make arrangements.

Victorian Vikings All Abilities Team
Gavan Hicks (C)
Garath Aslem
Nick Bruin
Andrew Calladine
Shaun Harris
Justin Healy
Chris Langley
John Loy
Adam Loy
Michael Massarotti
Shaun Rayment
Jordon Wynne

All Abilities All Star Team
Jarrod Connelly (C)
Paul Barnard
Ben Davenport
Matthew Dean
Shaun Ferguson
Daynah Hopkins
David Jenkins
Ben Langley
Liam McMurtrie
Nathan Mahar
Brayden Oogles
Steve Telionatsis
David Wallace
Craig Whitehand
Shaun Wilkie