AUSTRALIAN cricketing legends Jason Gillespie, Andy Bichel and Terry Alderman will showcase their talents in Orange next month after being named to take on an Orange side in an exhibition Twenty20 match at Wade Park.

The Australian Cricketers’ Association Masters yesterday announced their line-up for the March 5 fixture, which is being played as part of the ninth ACA Masters regional tour.

Gillespie heads the list of nine former Australian players and three state players, with Jimmy Maher, Matthew Elliott and Ryan Campbell others included in the 12-man squad.

Stars of yesteryear like Alderman, Greg Matthews and Greg Ritchie have also been named, giving fans of all ages the chance to see some of their idols in action at Wade Park.

Gillespie, who claimed 259 wickets from 71Test matches and scored a memorable 201 not out in his final Test in 2006, has played numerous ACA Masters regional tours and loves playing alongside former team-mates and players he looked up to in his younger days.

The right-arm quick famous for his flowing mullet hairdo also thinks the cricket fans of Orange will thoroughly enjoy their three-day visit to the city.

“They’re very enjoyable, they’re a lot of fun with the old boys,” Gillespie said.

“They’ve been getting some fantastic crowds and good support from the community. It’s been really well received.”

The 34-year-old retired from first class cricket in 2008 and while some of his team-mates are in their 50s, Gillespie promises the Masters will go out to beat Orange and they have so far suffered only one loss in these matches.

“We really enjoy it. It’s obviously a lower standard and it’s not as intense but the competitiveness comes out. We’re there to win, we’re not there to make up the numbers,” he said.

But Gillespie also knows the Orange players will be keen to knock off the legends as it would be a great story to tell the grandchildren if you hit Jason Gillespie for six.

A 19-year-old from Shepparton did just that in a game last year and the memory remains in Gillespie’s mind.

“Last year we played in Shepparton and I got hit for the biggest six of my life,” he quipped. “They enjoy it and we enjoy helping them develop.”

The ACA Masters team will arrive in Orange on Thursday, March 4 and they will conduct junior coaching clinics before the Twenty20 match on the Friday night along with a visit to Orange Base Hospital.

Tickets for the March 5 match are available at the gate on the day and entry is $5, with children under 16 years free.

Orange are expected to finalise their team for the match this week.