A former opening batsman for the Australian Test and Victorian Sheffield Shield teams, Elliott will play for the Australian Cricketers’ Association Masters side in a Twenty20 match in Rochester.

Elliott now plays for Bendigo Cricket Club, but he hasn’t featured for the Goers since round one of the Bendigo District Cricket Association season when he suffered a knee injury.

Born in Kyabram, Elliot is a veteran of 21 Tests and 214 first-class matches and he is looking forward to helping raise funds for the flood-devastated Campaspe region.

“I’m really excited to be part of the tour and can’t wait to get to Rochy to join up with the Masters,” Elliott said.

“I know how passionate this region is about its cricket and I’m really pumped to be supporting the Water to Wickets tour.

“Hopefully we can put on a good show during the match and in all the other events around the tour – and help raise some good dollars for the flood relief.”

Cate Ward, the chair of the Rochester Major Events Committee, said Elliott’s inclusion was a further boost for the event.

“Matty is a class player who has had an outstanding career, so I’m sure he’ll add even more excitement to the tour,” she said.

“Given he’s virtually a local we thought we might pinch him for our side but he’ll be a very prized scalp for the bowlers in any case and he is sure to be entertaining.”

The Water to Wickets Tour is aimed at bringing relief to flood-devastated communities and 12 former cricketers will spend three-days in Rochester assisting with various activities to help raise funds and lift spirits.

A Twenty20 match between the Masters team and a Campaspe Cricket Association combined side will be the highlight of the tour.

The match will be played at Moon Oval in Rochester on Sunday, February 19 beginning at 1pm.

The ACA Masters team:

Terry Alderman, Jo Angel, Ryan Campbell, John Davison, Matthew Elliott, Murray Goodwin, Rodney Hogg, Wayne Holdsworth, Mick Lewis, Jimmy Maher, Greg Matthews, Greg Ritchie.