mmg.com.au

Three visiting Melbourne-based cricket teams will play Twenty20 matches at Barooga Recreation Reserve later this month.

Victorian Premier Cricket has organised the ‘‘Premier Bush Bash’’ which will give local cricket fans a chance to see some elite players strut their stuff.

The teams to play at Barooga are Northcote, North Melbourne and Prahran.

Murray Valley Cricket Association secretary Anthony Holmes said although some Melbourne teams had come out to Barooga for regular one-day games, this would be the first time the Twenty20 matches had gone on tour.

‘‘It is pretty exciting to have the Twenty20 matches coming here for the first time,’’ Holmes said.

‘‘Some big names will be playing on the day, including Prahran spin bowler Bryce McGain who has played for Victoria and Australia (in 2009 against South Africa at Cape Town).

‘‘This is the first time they have done it for the Twenty20 matches.

‘‘We had Richmond versus Northcote for a one-dayer a few years ago, but this is the first time the Bush Bash Twenty20s have come up.’’

Holmes said other Melbourne teams would be playing three games on the same day at Horsham, Bendigo, Wangaratta, Lavington and Morwell.

‘‘There are 18 different Melbourne teams in total that will be playing at (various) country cricket grounds,’’ he said.

‘‘I think Cricket Victoria just wanted to take some games out to the bush, which is great for us.’’

The Victorian Premier Cricket Bush Bash will be at Barooga Recreation Reserve on Saturday, November 24.

There is no entry fee.

Novelty events have been planned to keep the crowd entertained during the breaks.

Northcote will play against Prahran from 10am, North Melbourne plays Northcote from 2pm and Prahran versus North Melbourne from 7pm.