THE Nhill Under-14 Country Week cricket competition starts on Monday, with four sides from the Wimmera region competing.
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Wimmera Mallee Cricket Association will field two teams, while Horsham Cricket Association and West Wimmera Cricket Association have both entered one team.
The 40-over games will be played in a split-innings format, with each team batting in two 20-over blocks.
Tournament co-ordinator Max McGrath said each team would play each other once between Monday and Wednesday, with an emphasis on participation.
In Monday's matches, Horsham plays Wimmera Mallee 1 at the Nhill College oval, while West Wimmera and Wimmera Mallee 2 meet at Davis Park, with both matches scheduled to start at 10am.
Wimmera-Mallee junior development co-ordinator Chris Leith said his association's two teams were fairly even in terms of cricketing ability.
"There's a mix of some guys that played in the Horsham and Portland country weeks, and some who didn't," Leith said.
"We had quite a few kids in those who missed out, so it's good to give them the opportunity to play cricket."
Horsham coach Glenn Carroll said a lot of his team had progressed from under-13 country week last year.
"I'm sure the kids will acquit themselves well," he said.
"Most of the kids played under-13 country week last year, so someone will step up I'm sure.
"It's all about keeping the kids involved all the way through."
Carroll highlighted wicket-keeper batsman Josh Hedt, who plays for Jung and Horsham Saints, Blackheath-Dimboola batsman Dalton Clough, and Saints bowler Seb Dalgleish as three players to keep an eye on.
Tuesday's fixtures will see West Wimmera and Horsham play at Davis Park, while the two Wimmera-Mallee sides face off at the college oval.
Wimmera Mallee 2 plays Horsham at Davis Park on Wednesday, with Wimmera Mallee 1 and West Wimmera to meet at the college oval.