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The pair will join a team consisting of 10 other members of the Australian Cricketers’ Association for the event, which is aiming to lift the collective spirits of the town and the wider region as recovery from the January 2011 flood continues just over a year on.

A jam-packed schedule lists numerous activities over the weekend, with the jewel in the crown being Sunday’s Twenty20 clash between the ACA team and a hand-picked side of some of the best players from Campaspe Cricket Association.

Players from the ACA team will arrive in Rochester today ahead of a big two days of action on and off the field.

Saturday afternoon will see the first of the major events, with the ACA players set to head to Rochester and Elmore District Health Services for the afternoon.

Players will sit through a presentation by some of the Rochester residents who were affected by the floods and will outline the impact they had on them and the town in general.

From there, players will take a tour of the hospital and hostel where they will meet staff and patients before heading off on a tour around town and then to watch the district cricket matches.

The ACA side will be in attendance at a second function on Saturday, with a ‘Celebrating Water to Wickets’ gala night to be held.

Hosted by Channel 10 presenter Brad McEwan, with a likely special guest appearance as well, the evening at the CVCC will kick-off at 7pm and be limited to 300 patrons.

With a meal provided, a silent auction and 5 piece band Entourage playing on stage, the evening is sure to be a popular event at just $30 a ticket.

Sunday is the big day, highlighted by the Twenty20 match which starts at 1pm on Rochester’s Moon Oval.

Gates open at 10am ahead of the game, with tickets available at Sportspower stores in Rochester, Echuca, Bendigo, Swan Hill and Kerang before the match or at the gate on the day.

Those who light up the district cricket grounds in the CCA will have the chance to light up a ground on a bigger stage, but enjoyment will no doubt be the motto of the day.

For those not as enthralled by cricket, there will be plenty of other things happening on the day. Food and drink counters will be set up around the ground, while a range of children’s activities will be held.

Before the match, a ‘Legend’s Lunch’ will also be held in the football clubrooms from 11am-2pm, with a threecourse meal and drinks served up to celebrate the 150 years since the first cricket team was formed in Rochester, as well as celebrate the 1982 winning Country Week team.

The tour will wrap up on Monday with a clinic for district primary school students which is expected to be attended by some 500 youngsters.

All in all, it shapes up as being one of the biggest weekends on the Rochester calendar.