Berry, Roach to lead Victorians in practice matches

Wicketkeepers Darren Berry and Peter Roach will lead two strong Victorian sides into battle in practice matches against a visiting Northern Territory eleven later this week.

Berry has been selected as captain of a twelve-man side which will take the field in tomorrow's one-day match at Punt Road, while his younger state colleague is a surprise choice as skipper ahead of Jason Arnberger for Thursday's limited-overs clash at Geelong.

Following on from Victoria's 93-run win in today's match between the teams at Frankston, the fixtures afford the Bushrangers the chance to put the finishing touches on pre-season preparations also assisted this year by a recent visit to Western Australia. All of the twelve players named for tomorrow's match have been awarded contracts this season and at least seven are first-team regulars. While not quite as star-studded, the squad for the Geelong match contains six contract-holders and should also acquit itself well.

The Territorians, for their part, are enjoying the chance to end their own local season with this trip south. Traditionally, local cricket in the Northern Territory is played in the more reliable and slightly cooler weather which predominates over winter. While their level of inexperience is palpable in comparison with their hosts, they have a number of fine cricketers in the squad and play with great enthusiasm.

Coming hard on the heels of a trip to South Australia, these two matches close out the visitors' 2000 season. Ahead of Sunday's Mercantile Mutual Cup clash against New South Wales in Sydney meanwhile, the fixtures represent the Bushrangers' final hit-outs before the formal start of their 2000-01 campaign.