Unfortunately for local junior representative cricket, Owen and Bradley Shield games scheduled for Sunday in Deniliquin were cancelled.
But young local cricketers will get another opportunity to put their stamp on the sport, with more representative opportunities around the corner.
When the prediction of a 41ºC day in Deni was discovered late last week, the Southern Riverina Cricket Council decided to call off the under-15s and under-13s NSW and Victoria Owen and Bradley Shield games due to the heat rule.
The association hopes to reschedule the matches, but admitted this may not be possible due to a busy representative season.
The Southern Riverina Steers’ under-13s and under-15s teams for the Three Rivers Cup in January were to be decided based on performances in Deni on Sunday.
Selections will still go ahead, and are expected to be announced soon.
The sides will play Murrumbidgee Cricket Council teams.
In the days following the cancellation of games, Junior Country Week teams were announced.
This competition will see players from under-13s to under-17s compete from Monday, January 6 to Thursday, January 9.
The Murray Valley Cricket Association teams will include several players from the Deni Rhinos.
The games will be played at various locations for the different age groups, including Bendigo for the U13s, Shepparton for the U14s, Seymour for the U15s, Murray Valley for the U16s and Cohuna for the U17s.
For selected players, there will be a registration process and fee of $100.
The MVCA teams are as follows:
Under-13s: Daniel Burn, Ollie East, Jed Flanagan, Oliver Bramich, Lucas Grieves, Jacob Holschier, Mitchell Carr, James Bray, Ashtyn Speechly, Axel Henderson, Henry Pisasale, Ben Padman. Coach: Tim Bramich.
Under-14s: Riley Thompson (c), Kohen Haddrell, Jordan Swann, Lucas Baron, Archer Chellew, Archie Paterson, James Winn, Chase Dickens, Angus Urquhart, James White, Oliver Benson, Kade Rogers. Coach: Keith Baron.
Under-15s: Bodey Webb, Cooper Mynard, Lenny Power, Ted Wren, Evan Lawton, Fletcher Campion, Tom Taylor, Nate Leith, Archie Daniel, Eamon Hyde, Lachlan Packer, Gus Frostick. Coach: Tim Mynard.
Under-16s: Ethan Bovalina, Charlie McCallum, Crue Lucas, Murphy Stephens, Tom White, Sam Bennett, Jules Cook, Giordan Lukies, Archie Erickson, Rocco Anastasio, Isaiah Benson, Zander Quinn, Liam Sutton. Coaches: Ben Lucas and Jason Stephens.
Under-17s: Jeremy Packer, Hamish Baker, Hughie Stammers, Harry Ryan, Ollie Ruscoe, Mikael Artavilla-Bennett, Lachlan Whelan, James McPherson, Jaxon Webb, Codi Bowden, Seth McCracken. Coach: Jono Oliver.