State's top female cricketers to compete in Horsham 

Victorian top grade cricket will return to Horsham next month only this time it's the women showcasing their skills.

Some of the state's most talented female cricketers will play in a one-day fixture under lights at Horsham City Oval on February 16.

It is set to be an exciting encounter with reigning Victorian Women's Cricket Association champion Essendon-Maribyrnong Park taking on newcomer Melbourne.

The match could have a Wimmera flavour because former Horsham cricketer Bridie Chesterfield is in Melbourne's squad.

Chesterfield, who has played five first-grade games this season, said she would love the chance to play in front of her home crowd.

"It would be pretty good to come back home and play," she said.

"Maybe a few of the guys I used to play with could come down and have a look to see not only where I'm at with my cricket but what standard I'm playing."

Chesterfield believes it would be a great opportunity to promote women's cricket in the Wimmera. The Bombers boast arguably the strongest line-up in the association, with six Vic Spirit players, including veteran leg-spinner Kristen Beams, fast bowler Briana Binch, emerging batter Cassie Brock, medium-pacer Emma Kearney and all-rounders Emily McIntyre and Molly Strano.

Strano broke the record for the most wickets in a women's domestic season earlier this month, taking 30 scalps with her off-spinners in the Women's National Cricket League and Women's Twenty20 competitions. Cricket Victoria Western Country regional cricket manager Stephen Field said it was another massive coup for Horsham after the Victorian Premier Cricket Bush Bash matches between Essendon, Footscray-Edgewater and Geelong were played at City Oval last month.

"The Horsham Cricket Association has shown over the years that it has a great capacity to organise big events," he said.

"Spectators are going to see some top-class women's cricketers in action."

The match will start at 5pm.