Sport
16 May, 2024
T20 start likely in season revamp
UPPER Loddon cricket is poised for an overhaul after clubs pushed the need for a more flexible and engaging competition structure on Monday night. Clubs are backing a likely five-week T20 season in the opening weeks of the 2024-2025 season after...
UPPER Loddon cricket is poised for an overhaul after clubs pushed the need for a more flexible and engaging competition structure on Monday night.
Clubs are backing a likely five-week T20 season in the opening weeks of the 2024-2025 season after securing the association’s future.
Bridgewater will return to the senior competition in a co-operative venture with the dormant Inglewood club, aiming to both become standalone outfits in the future.
Their delegates to the meeting, John Daldy and Tony Noonan, said it was hoped to play some games at Inglewood.
A fifth team has ensured reigning premiers Arnold remain in the competition.
Neighbouring associations had been watching the Upper Loddon association. Emu Valley had two representatives at the meeting and Maryborough had contacted local clubs in the past week “opening the door” if they wanted a shift.
However, Upper Loddon clubs have remained committed to playing on locally next season.
Club delegates flagged a T20 season before Christmas followed by one-day and two-day matches.
Wedderburn president Ian Gould also suggested that restrictions be put on batsmen in one-day encounters. “Currently, there respect for bowlers (maximum seven overs) but not batsmen. Have them retire at 50,” he said.
Clubs are also pushing for senior sides to have limited permit players, naming 16 players for two-day games and captains able to agree on start times on hot days.
They also want flexibility to have games on Friday nights or Sundays.
Bridgewater’s Claire Harrison, who is among parent drivers for the junior team, said different formats acknowledging time availability of players were needed.
“We have to change with the times and have something fresh,” she told the meeting.
Association and Kingower secretary Michael Rose said the introduction of T20 would be a compromise for his club that wanted two-day games to assist with junior player development.
He said shorter format games gave youngsters little opportunity with their time at the crease “a big slog and learning nothing”
Clubs had canvassed whether a team could be revived in Serpentine to join Arnold, Boort Yando, Wedderburn,. Arnold and Bridgewater-Inglewood without success.
There has also been informal talks identifying establishment of a junior team drawn from the successful East Loddon Rams Football Club based on Serpentine, Dingee, Calivil and Mitiamo.
However, the junior competition for next season will again be four teams unless formal moves are made on the East Loddon side
Clubs will submit formal rule change proposals to the association by June 17 and put them to the vote at the annual general meeting in July.