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ig news for South Australia as over 250 players from regional areas will congregate to Barossa Valley as it has been chosen to host this season’s Toyota Australian Country Cricket Championships.

Five women’s teams and six men’s teams will compete in the 10-day tournament from January 3 -11 to allow Australia’s best regional players to test their skills at a high level of competition.

The hosting rights were made possible due to the strong support of the Barossa Council, Barossa and Light Cricket Association and the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA).

Cricket Australia’s executive general manager of Community Cricket, James Allsopp, said: “We are delighted to bring the Toyota National Country Cricket Championships to Barossa.

“The collaboration with the SACA and The Barossa Council will ensure a great competition for some of the best players from rural Australia,” he said.

“The championships will showcase a number of community facilities that have received significant investment through the Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund, The Barossa Council and the South Australian Government’s Grassroots Funding Programs, providing access to lights, new changerooms, practice facilities and oval surface upgrades, improving facilities for local clubs.”

Barossa Mayor, Michael “Bim” Lange, added: “In partnership with SACA and the Government of South Australia, we’ve been making major investments in the Barossa’s sports facilities, so we’re thrilled to host an event of this calibre for both the local community and visitors to our region,” Mayor Lange said.

“We wish all players and officials every success and expect a great competition for spectators.”