ACA Masters complete Cobram Barooga Tour

The ACA Masters completed their tour of Cobram Barooga on Saturday, defeating the local Murray Valley Cricket Association by 80 runs.

Batting first, the Masters compiled 219 runs from their 20 overs at the Barooga Recreation Reserve.

Former Tasmania teammates Mark Cosgrove (51) and Ben Dunk (44) put the Masters into with a strong position with their opening partnership before Jason Krejza followed with 84 runs, smashing 10 sixes. Co-captain Andy Bichel also finished off the innings with an unbeaten 31.

In reply, the locals mustered 139 with the bat. Brett Geeves (2/11) and Bichel (2/15) were the standouts with the ball, while Krezja and Lindsay Askew took one each.

Cobram Cricket Club’s Izac Artavilla was the locals’ top performer with the bat. The 16-year-old scored 35 not out and was awarded the ACA Masters Scholarship, receiving $1,000 bursary and 12 months mentoring from Ben Dunk.

Arriving on Thursday, the Masters spent a day at the Cobram Barooga Golf Club as Wayne Phillips and Trent Johnston proved themselves to be the best golfers among the group. Later that day the Masters team joined an impromptu family cricket game with the parents and kids in town participating in the New South Wales Primary Schools Sports Association Championship (NSWPSSA).

Friday saw the Masters join in clinics for over 300 kids at Finley High School and Cobram Primary Schools before cheering on the teams in the NSWPSSA grand final. Andy Bichel presented the winning team with their medallions, including winning team Captain, Brett Lee’s son Preston.

“We had a fantastic couple of days in Cobram Barooga with all the locals,” said Clea Smith, ACA General Manager Member Programs.

“Thank you to Cobram Barooga Tourism Council and Murray Valley Cricket Association for their hospitality. The Masters thoroughly enjoyed their time mixing and interacting with all the kids, passing on some of their knowledge to the cricket community.”

What the Masters said:

Ryan Sidebottom:

“It was great to not just see the smiles on the kids’ faces but also being able to rub shoulders with other Masters.”

Trent Johnston”

“Interacting with the kids at the school, both and during the T20 match, that’s what it’s all about. It was also awesome to meet all the former players as well."

Andy Bichel:

It was great to get away with the Masters once again. I always enjoy getting into the community and trying to make a difference.”

Lauren Ebsary:

I absolutely loved it and it was great getting to know the Masters team.”

Full ACA Masters Squad: Andy Bichel (C), Alex Blackwell (C), Jason Krejza, Trent Johnston, Ben Dunk, Mark Cosgrove, Brett Geeves, Julia Price (WK), Wayne Phillips, Ryan Sidebottom, Lynsey Askew, Lyndall Daley and Lauren Ebsary.

Full MVCA Squad: Luke Quinn (C), Scott Morris, Brayden Summerville, Evie Hawks, Andrianna Oliver, Adam Decicco, Lachlan Hyde, Izac Artavilla, Riley Gow, Shannon Pool, Brad Todd and Dean Edge.