Defence competing in the International Defence Cricket Challenge 2012

Cricket teams from each Defence Service will participate in the third running of the International Defence Cricket Challenge (IDCC), coordinated by the Australian Service Cricket Association (ASCA), at various grounds in Canberra from 14 November 2012.

With a central theme of ‘Defence unity through cricket’, the tournament builds on the 2007 and 2009 events in engaging international Defence teams in a sporting and cultural exchange.

ASCA Ambassador Mr Greg Chappell will attend IDCC 2012 and will welcome teams from the Royal New Zealand Air Force, the New Zealand Army, the Royal Malaysian Air Force, the ANZAC Barbarians—a composite team with players from the Australian Army and New Zealand Army—and, for the first time, the Pakistan Armed Forces.

“Uniting so many different cricketing styles and cultures in a single Defence event promises to be a tantalising spectacle and one which we are again looking forward to.” said Rear Admiral Mark Campbell, the President of the Australian Services Cricket Association (ASCA) said.

Some 210 participants will play in up to eight games of cricket in both Twenty20 and One Day Limited Overs formats from 14 to 23 November 2012. An IDCC 2012 Grand Final will be played at Manuka Oval in Canberra on 23 November 2012 between 10am and 5pm.

The tournament will be capped off with a match between an Australian Cricketers Association (ACA) Masters team, which will include former test players Craig McDermott, Darren Lehmann, Peter Sleep, Greg Ritchie and Greg Matthews, and a World Defence XI team, made up of the best players from the eight international defence teams. This game will commence at 12pm at Manuka Oval in Canberra on 24 November 2012.

“To have some of the best Defence cricketers in the world come up against some of the best players Australia has ever produced will be an amazing game and another honour for Services cricket.” Rear Admiral Campbell said.

Admission to all tournament games is free with calls for a gold coin donation to the IDCC Grand Final and the ACA Masters verse World Defence XI game. All money raised will be donated to the McGrath Foundation, the official charity of IDCC 2012.

“I would strongly encourage all lovers of the game of cricket to come along to Manuka Oval on 24 November. They will witness a tremendous match while supporting the McGrath Foundation.” Rear Admiral Campbell said.