Gallery | Cricket Shepparton Under-23s fall to International XI in T20 exhibition clash

The fixture was organised by Shepparton Youth Club United father and son duo Steven and Sam Nash as a celebration of the Haisman Shield season and as a thank you to the long list of imports that have boosted the region’s talent stockpiles this summer.

Speaking on Monday, Steven Nash said he viewed the day as a success.

“We have learnt from the day and we got really good feedback as well,” he said.

“It will help us improve it for hopefully next year, we are certainly committed to hosting it again and we didn’t hear a negative comment all day, which was fantastic.

“We had good crowds, good participation, there are parts of (Princess Park) that I haven’t seen that full for a game of cricket.”

International XI skipper Seb Menzhausen (Shepparton Youth Club United) won the toss and elected to bat first in hot and muggy conditions.

Batter Jake Callow (Shepparton Youth Club United) made the most of the pressure-free environment as he opened up the front leg and started swinging from the hip.

Callow was callous in his approach to the Under-23s bowling attack as he blasted 48 runs from 28 balls in an innings that featured five sixes and two boundaries.

Menzhausen produced a calculated 28-run knock as he played lap and reverse sweeps and classy cover drives.

Fast bowler Seth Westley (Katandra) was given a promotion up the order and paid back the favour with three bombs that cleared the boundary.

Under-23s’ Walter Jackson (Euroa) impressed with the ball, taking 2-22 from his three overs, while captain Blake Armstrong was tidy with 2-5 from two overs.

Corey Hickford (Katandra) — a stand-in for James Du Toit for International XI — belted a six with the final ball of the innings to boost the total out to a commanding 7-170.

There was plenty of (friendly) verbal back and forth going on between the two sides throughout the match as the majority of wickets were accompanied by a tongue-in-cheek send-off.

The Under-23s batters were immediately placed on the back foot thanks to a rampaging Westley, who picked off Sam O’Brien (Old Students) and Oscar Lambourn (Old Students) early.

Declan Newbound (Karramomus) struck a quick-fire 19 runs off nine balls to partner Mitch Black (Katandra) in an effort to turn the tide.

However, International XI’s mix of Ethan Baker (Mooroopna) and Hickford brought Under-23s to its knees.

Hickford in particular produced the highlight of the day with a jaw-dropping one-handed catch off his own bowling to dismiss opposition skipper Armstrong.

The wily veteran then used all his experience to set up Katandra teammate Bailey Simpson the very next ball by pushing the field back — hinting at a bouncer — before bowling a blistering ball into off-stump.

Under-23s were eventually bowled out for 109 from 14.4 overs, handing International XI a 61-run victory.

Steven Nash said the import players loved the concept and even had some ideas on how to improve it.

“(The internationals) have all got to know each other during the year,” he said.

“I think if we held it earlier in the year it would be a good chance for them all to meet each other, so they can form a bit of a network to support each other out here.

“They were really keen to do something like that, which is something we didn’t consider, we thought we would do it at the end as a thank you.

"(Moving it to earlier in the season) is one thing we will look at.”

Nash said he appreciated the support from the community for the new idea.

“It was really well supported by Cricket Shepparton, there were a lot of senior players that came down for a look,” he said.

“It was great to have the support from City of Greater Shepparton who put some funding up for the project — it took a lot of the risk out of our club.

“That support was fantastic; to know you had the support of the community to try something like this.”