The one-off event has two goals: to run continuously from 7pm Saturday to 7pm Sunday and to notch up at least 1000 runs in those 24 hours.

Co-ordinator Mike Cashman said the event, to be held at No.1 Oval, was a nod to the long history of the sport in Tamworth.

​Related stories:

“The idea is to try and involve the whole cricket fraternity,” he said.

After the opening at 6.45pm, Tamworth regional mayor Col Murray will bowl the first over to local MP Kevin Anderson MP, then the pair will swap roles.

The cricket-a-thon has time slots for grade, veteran, women, girls, MILO, primary, secondary, bush and recreational cricketers to take part.

“These segments are flexible, with the midnight-to-7am period obviously being the hardest to fill,” Mr Cashman said.

“Some cricketers may relish the opportunity to play under lights during this period on Tamworth's premier cricket ground.”

Invitations have gone out, and Mr Cashman said it should be “a bit of fun”.

“It’s a one-off thing that’s never been done in Tamworth before, or anywhere else to my knowledge.”

Players will need to register on arrival with a $5 fee that will go towards this McGrath Foundation Pink Stumps event.

“Every endeavour will be made to give participants a bat and a bowl if required, with flexibility a requisite,” Mr Cashman said.

“The Cricket-a-Thon will be played under modified backyard cricket rules, being not too serious, to give everyone a go.”

Mr Cashman said he asked all participants to bring their own gear.