The recently-opened AFL/cricket facility at Rooty Hill hosted its inaugural cricket game on oval two, when the NSW Breakers women's side played an intra-squad match in the lead-up to their upcoming National League season.

The first match on the main oval will be on Thursday, October 29, and will coincide with Cricket NSW's 2009-10 season launch. It will be followed by a celebrity 10/10 match.

Details of who will take to the field are being finalised.

The venue's state-of-the-art indoor practice facility has been a big hit with cricketers of all levels since it was unveiled two months ago.

The 10 indoor and outdoor nets are available for hire from 9am to 9.30pm seven days a week for $50 per hour.

So far, they have been tested by junior cricketers for the Emerging Blues and Breakers squads and players from the Sydney Grade and Shires competitions.

``The NSW Blues mens and Breakers sides have trained out here and found it a fantastic facility,'' Cricket NSW Sydney West manager Craig McLean said.

``They were impressed with the huge lanes and wide run-ups. It's a purpose-built facility for local teams to play or train in any type of weather. We recently had the Parramatta club out here, while Blacktown has also booked to use the facility.''

McLean said there were plans to host Blues' Ford Ranger Cup one day matches at Blacktown Olympic Park next summer. A NSW second XI mens side would play at the venue in February, as well.

``The ground staff are very happy with the pitches on both ovals,'' McLean said.

``Playing Ford Ranger Cup matches here will be a fantastic boost for not only the local economy, but also the profile of the sport in western Sydney. This area has always been a heartland for cricket.''

Next Thursday's matches coincide with the launch of the 2009/10 MILO in2CRICKET junior development program for boys and girls aged 5 to 10 years.

NSW cricketers Beau Casson and Ellyse Perry will launch the program, which is now in its second year.

It will be conducted at 250 junior clubs across NSW, including Rooty Hill.

Details: cricket.com.au (click on Getting Involved).