Cricket Australia has announced the playing schedule for the 2011 Emerging Players Tournament, which will again feature teams from South Africa, New Zealand, India and the Australian Institute of Sport Cricket program.

Now in its seventh year, the 2011 Emerging Players Tournament will see a format change from the traditional competition structure.

This year’s tournament will move away from the shorter formats, with a round robin of three-day matches, including matches for the first time in Townsville.

Also, for the first time this year, matches will be played in Townsville with the redeveloped ‘Endeavour Park’ hosting rounds two and three of the competition.

Cricket Australia General Manager Cricket Michael Brown said the change would give the AIS cricketers a great opportunity to play longer form cricket against quality international opposition.

‘The Emerging Players Tournament continues to grow year on year since its inception in 2005 and we will again host three very strong development teams,’ Brown said.

‘The format change will give the AIS Scholars a good competitive taste of all formats with this longer series complimenting the Twenty20 tournament that will be hosted by the Malaysian Cricket Association.’

‘We are pleased to be able to also take this year’s tournament to Townsville.’

‘We feel it’s important to provide a variety of conditions for the development of the players and the new facilities at Endeavour Park with multiple grounds will provide teams with first-class services.’

Squads for the Emerging Players Tournament will be confirmed closer to the tournament starting on August 1.

AIS matches in the Emerging Players Tournament are:

• AIS versus New Zealand: 1–3 August (round one) at Allan Border Field in Brisbane
• AIS versus South Africa: 6–8 August (round two) at Endeavour Park in Townsville
• AIS v India: 11–13 August (round three).