Windy Hill has been the scene of some of this country’s greatest cricket highlights in recent years and it is set to add to that history with the return of the 3 mobile Six-a-Side Cricket Challenge on Friday, December 21st.
 

Who could forget Matthew Lloyd’s brilliant outfield catch to dismiss Damien Martyn in 2004 or James Hird putting Shane Warne into the grandstand in 2005? Once again, Australia and Essendon are set to do battle.
 

Matthew Lloyd has been named captain and will lead the charge against an Australian team that includes Brett Lee. The 90 minute showdown will commence at Windy Hill at 2pm.
 

The Essendon team will be finalised over the coming weeks and the battle is on in earnest to secure a place in the side. The players are leaving nothing to chance and today hit the nets at Windy Hill to practice ahead of an intense - and possibly bitter - selection process.
 

Lloyd – a once dangerous right-hand batsman and slow-to-very slow bowler - says there will be a major sporting rivalry on show when the star-studded teams collide.
 

“The boys are all very keen to be selected for the 3 Mobile Six-a-Side Cricket Challenge and we are going to have to make some difficult decisions at the selection table. We will have a close look at them in the nets over the coming weeks,"" Lloyd said.
 

“I think we have some players capable of doing some damage. Mark McVeigh landed a leg spinner the other day and that might be enough to get him in and David Hille at least looks like he can bowl fast.”
 

“Andrew Welsh thinks he looks like Michael Clarke but he certainly can’t bat like him that is for sure. It’s a shame because he wants to play but I can’t see it happening.”
 

On the eve of Christmas, it will be a great afternoon of fun and will give fans the chance to get up close and personal with some of the biggest names in Australian sport in the lead up to the Boxing Day Test against India.
 

Entry is a gold coin donation, with proceeds going to the Bill Hutchison Foundation – a harm prevention charity which primarily supports or conducts programs that aim to reduce the incidence of depression, obesity and substance abuse in the adolescent community.
 

The match at Windy Hill is also a great way of reminding cricket fans that they can catch all the latest cricket news and live streaming of the matches via 3 mobile, for both the 3 mobile Test Series and the One Day Internationals this summer.
 
To watch the players at their first (and possibly only) cricket training session and to hear the Matthew Lloyd interview on Bomber.tv click here.
 
3 Mobile Six-a-side Cricket Challenge
Date : Friday 21 December 2007
Venue: Windy Hill, Napier Street Essendon

Cost: Gold coin donation all proceeds donated to Bill Hutchinson Foundation

Gates open at 9.30 am, Open training at10.30am.

Match commences at 2pm.

Parking is limited and public transport is recommended

For more information and your chance to play click here.