The latest announcement confirmed on Friday will bring international cricket to Bendigo, which has been selected by the International Cricket Council to host the East Asia-Pacific Trophy.

The tournament – which carries ICC ranking points and may well prove a stepping stone to the 2019 World Cup – will feature Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, Japan, Philippines, Samoa and Indonesia and be held across Bendigo District Cricket Association venues from February 19 to 25.

This tournament is another example of Bendigo’s growing reputation as a destination location for showcase cricketing events, which is a credit to the BDCA, its clubs and the City of Greater Bendigo.

That will be highlighted again later this month when the Melbourne Renegades play the Hobart Hurricanes in back-to-back Women’s Big Bash League matches at the QEO on December 17 and December 18.

The list of cricketing events brought to Bendigo over the past three years makes for some impressive reading.

The School Sport Australia 12-under Cricket Championships in January, 2014; Australian Country Cricket Championships in January, 2015; an Australian Cricket Association Masters game in November, 2013; the Victorian Country Cricket League has used the QEO as the venue for its final trial games for selecting its state squad the past three years; plus Premier Cricket Bush Bash has become a regular on the calendar.

The securing of the East Asia-Pacific Trophy was a direct result of the way in which Bendigo hosted the Australian Country Cricket Championships, which featured a team from East-Asia Pacific, last year.

If Bendigo can once again prove itself as a quality venue for hosting an international tournament in February, what else could the city strive for in the way of cricket?

Perhaps a goal to strive for next season could be to secure a Matador Cup (domestic 50-over) game featuring Victoria.

A Big Bash game isn’t going to be taken away from the MCG or Etihad Stadium because of the big crowds – and therefore big dollars – they generate, but perhaps a Melbourne Renegades, who Bendigo is zoned to, practice match could be a target.

But in the meantime, let’s make the most of the WBBL matches and East Asia-Pacific Trophy and enjoy a dose of national and international cricket in our own backyard.

Luke West – sports reporter