Written by Kinshu Jain and edited for online by Toby Crockford

Townsville, Mackay and Brisbane will this winter host the largest cricket tournament to be held in Queensland since the 2012 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup.

Cricket Australia today confirmed a Quadrangular Series would take place during July, August and September.

It will feature Australia A, South Africa A, Cricket Australia’s National Performance Squad and a fourth international squad which is to be confirmed.

The series will include 18 matches over 30 days and be hosted by the Tony Ireland Stadium in Townsville, Harrup Park in Mackay and Allan Border Field in Brisbane.

Mackay’s Mayor Councillor Greg Williamson said he was excited by Cricket Australia’s decision.

“It’s an absolutely outstanding result for our region, it really will be a first for our region to be able to host this.

“We’re very excited that Cricket Australia has selected MacKay as part of this process.”

Councillor Williamson also talked about the brilliant facilities Mackay had to offer to the crowd and the players.

“We have some sensational grounds in Mackay at Harrup Park, great facilities and the grounds are very good.

“Greg Chappell and Jake Lehman were here yesterday and commented on the exceptional standard of the grounds and facilities.

“So we are really looking forward to a great event at the end of July and start of August.”

North Queensland Regional Cricket Officer Sam Harris, said the series would be inspiring for the crowd, especially the children who have been looking forward to big cricket events.

Mr Harris also believed this would attract more cricket series to North Queensland.

“Hopefully with this quadrangular series up in Townsville, it’ll bring a few more series and cricket games to the region.

“Hopefully it will also bring the big teams out more regularly during the winter months when it’s a bit cooler and grow the sport in the North Queensland region.”

Fast bowler Pat Cummins said he was excited to play against some of the best players in the world.

“It’s a great series for Australia and I am dying to play in the middle of winter,” Cummins said.

“There are always a couple of Australian tours right afterwards so if you perform well in the Australia A series you can quite easily be picked for the next Australian tour.

“It is just a good place for everyone to get a taste of something even more intense than domestic cricket and play against some of the best teams in the world.”

Leg spinner Cameron Boyce said he was also excited for the series.

“I think we have performed pretty well, we have got a pretty good squad assembled, it is a very young squad but everyone who has been picked has been performing in our State competition,” Boyce said.

“So I think we will be very strong and hopefully we can go one better than last year and win.”