While the world champion Australian side do battle against their arch nemesis England for the Ashes over the coming months, Young’s new executive committee will be using the popularity to raise the awareness of the new era of cricket that is about to embark on Young.

Following the recent announcement teams from Cootamundra - and Temora will be joining Young in a newly-launched local competition - comes big news.

Young’s cricketing association can confirm the ACA Masters team, which will feature at least six former players who have international experience and six who have first-class domestic cricket experience, will be embarking on a three-day tour of Young this upcoming season.

 The time of the tour is unconfirmed at the moment while organisers await the release of Cricket Australia’s Domestic Cricketing schedule. But it is expected the dates will be confirmed in the next few weeks. 

The tour will feature a sportsmans dinner in which the ACA Masters side will share stories of their playing days and take part in a Q & A session.

A Twenty20 match will also be staged between the ACA Masters and a Young XI representative side, as well as a number of community and charity events across the three days, finishing off with a number of school-based coaching clinics and signing opportunities.

 To help raise money, and thus being able to provide a better weekend for the entire community, the Young and Districts Cricket Association has launched a centurion raffle and auction at the Commercial Hotel on August 14 from 7pm.

 Just 100 tickets will be on sale for the event at a cost of $100 each. Tickets are being sold at various businesses throughout Young.

$5000 worth of cash will be given away as prizes, including a first prize of $3000. 

In addition to the cash prizes a number of other signed sports memorabilia will also be given away as part of the prize pool which totals almost $8000.

 Immediately after the raffle a live auction will be taking place in which some of sports most sought after cricketing momentos will be up for grabs including an 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup lithograph signed by all 14 captains of the competing teams limited to just 100 pieces in the world, an Allan Moffat lithograph signed by the Ford Motorsport legend himself, and a framed signed Sydney Thunder Big Bash League shirt.

 “This is a fantastic opportunity for the public of Young to support us,” president Brendon Meynell said.

 “There are many changes coming that will truly put Young on the cricketing map, and we are hopeful that the public will support us and our endeavours.

 “The ACA Masters are just the first step in a five-year plan that we have set up, however no matter what you do in life you need money to do it and that is the reason we have set up this fantastic night, alongside other fantastic community events across this season.”

 Tickets are on sale, with a full list of retailers carrying tickets available on the Young Cricket website at http://www.youngcricket.com.au