Why would an association ever knock clubs back? Surely the more the merrier and the stronger the association.

Southern Cricket Association knocked a couple of clubs back from memory. Then several years later a couple of their clubs headed south or north and they folded.

Looking thru draw, the Bank SA seems to be reduced to one week, plus 20/20 games? SACA been pushing to get rid of this Carnival, this might be the final nail in coffin, seems waste of time if just 20/20 matches!
This competition highlights some moronic decisions grade clubs made previously.

SACA wanted it to be an U16 carnival and to use it to pick the next season's State U17 squad. Very sensible. Make it part of the state pathway. U16s including all those up in seniors, all the college kids and the country kids would be quite strong.

It lasted one year.

The grade clubs bleated like stuck pigs about it. Got it changed back to U17 so that it had no relevance whatsoever to the pathway. Now has effectively been replaced by U16 Redbacks League.

Grade clubs successfully making themselves redundant.

Section 3 - North Haven, Happy Valley, Southern, Coro Ramblers, ICC Sharks, South Road, Morphetville Park and Keswick

Section 4 - South Road, Fitzroy , Sheidow Park, Kenilworth, WYC, Warradale, Plympton and Coromandel
Fitzroy have picked up a useful player from their footy club - David Palmer. Lefty who whacks them

Shit concept how this comp is run. Literally no interest in it at all and I'm glad as our available squad looks dog shit.

Bring on the shield.
Our squad looks very good, even with 3 internationals out.

Weatherald exciting player
Carey very exciting player
Ross & Lehmann ready to take next step
Ferguson & Cooper the experience
Mennie, Sayers, Worrall a bloody good first class pace attack

Lack a proven spinner unfortunately. Hopefully Cormack/Andrews step up.

Can't believe the negativity about cricket in general around here. Redbacks last few years have been our best for two decades. Now getting players in Aussie team. Live streaming makes domestic cricket more accessible than ever before. More young local products getting chances at Shield level.

People bag the Aussie team too. Used to be soooo boring with us winning everything and all other nations basically a joke. Now it's a genuine contest, other nations have got serious, bloody hard to get away wins against most teams. 10x more interesting.

People are just like Port fans - only really liked it when they were perennial front runners.

Hazbeen wrote:A1's down to 7 teams with the merging of Watervale and Auburn-Mintaro.

WAM!

The new fake fielding rule was applied today, Queensland penalized 5 runs
Load of pus rule.

i think it's an art, the batsman is allowed to fake where he is standing, can pretend to take a run then stop, switch hit etc.

Cricket is turning into AFL.
Exactly right.

Bowlers can deliver a slower ball.

It's the art of deception.

Why don't clubs put the scores in after Day 1? Or use the live scoring app?

Some country leagues do

My understanding is that was the original idea/plan, however there were not enough clubs across the league committed to fielding sides so SACA could only justify running 1 venue/centre per week, which means a lot of travel for some clubs. Had the decision been made earlier perhaps TVCA clubs would have explored other options.

Having had a look at last Friday’s centre/games I would question whether there are any additional benefits of this model over the traditional home and away U10 format which appeared healthy in recent seasons (14-16 sides usually, with good numbers flowing onto the U12s).
Yeah it's a tricky one. I get that they want their flagship programs to be adopted widely, promoted strongly and be a consistent product across Australia. But it doesn't leave room for area-specific programs that grow organically, suit the population & demographic, and may have been running successfully previously.

Welcome back to A Grade cricket Ben Dougall! Just a cheeky 178.

2 fa

Mennie again

Brodlach wrote:With that pitch should Sayers play instead of Lyon?

"If it seams, it spins"

- Shane Warne, I predict this is said at least 100 times during the 1st test commentary

It has been pretty standard throughout cricket's history that a batsman who averages 40 is a good player and someone who averages 50+ is a great player.

Perhaps a few more are tipping over the 50 threshold now compared to previously but it's still a pretty decent measure of a player's worth. Times change, pitches change, rules change but that 40/50 mark remains a pretty solid guide.

There is just one outlier in any era - Bradman.

whufc wrote:The question on whether Bradman was better than modern day batsmen can only be answere on way in my opinion.

Sir Donald Bradperson???

Long live test cricket!

Been absolutely glorious and what a combination of the traditional old ebb and flow of the five day contest with the brand new of the day night/pink ball.

Has been perfection and a cracking pitch for it all to play out on.

Every tactical move debated at length, game on a knife's edge.

Will today be the biggest ever attendance for Day 5 of a test match? Could be shades of Border/Thomson if it goes down to the wire with the ground filling up during the day.

Hopefully we don't come up against any teams as strong as the Redbacks squad made up of players with no BBL contracts

57 run win.
We can bowl! Has certainly taken me by surprise. I thought we'd be ordinary.

I didn't think Siddle would be any good in this format but he's been effevtive every game.

Rashid looks an inspired selection. O'Connor last year was such a meh spinner.

Laughlin at 35yo is still bamboozling them with his change ups.

Bit worried about our batting though.

Not just cost but yes that's part of it. The endless equipment required for cricket compared to just a pair of shoes for most sports is astronomical.

But it's more that you do what your parents did. If your dad played cricket or your parents are cricket fans, then there's a good chance that their kids will give it a try. Anglo saxon families often know cricket and gravitate towards it. Families from some areas of Asia, Europe, elsewhere have no familiarity with the sport so don't play - and there are increasing numbers of these families north and south.

Cricket is still strong in colleges and at schools in inner east, inner south, inner north and Glenelg-Henley beachside areas. Good numbers. No schools play further north or south. No interest.

Generally speaking, very young kids (4-6 year olds) are less skillful than they were a generation ago. Smaller backyards, time poor parents, iPads, screen time etc. So when they go to take up a sport later they are too unco to play cricket. Can't bowl especially, can't hit the ball, can't catch. The sport is difficult. Whereas even the biggest dunce can play soccer. Just swing a leg at the ball whenever it's near you.

The areas where there are still backyards and mum/dad love cricket and their offspring learn how to catch & throw are those same select suburbs where cricket is strong.

'Middle-classing the game' is a phrased I've heard used.

Even 20-25 years ago the northern and southern suburbs were more like country towns. Real Aussies who played cricket in summer and footy in winter. Has changed immensely.

The Twenty20 purists won't like this

41 degrees last Saturday

Grey and drizzling rain today

Back up to 41 degrees by Thursday

That typically volatile Adelaide climate

wedgetail wrote:In a major blow to the Eagles, Leigh Drennan is heading back to his home state of Qld effective immediately due to work and family commitments.

Wow that's a shame. Been a great pick up for them. Hard to top a ton in a premiership

Brodlach wrote:Bored

Liar

Great innings by Carey. You'd think he's played himself into an Aussie appearance there, either in the T20s or one dayers

They should dominate this comp

Head and Carey playing tomorrow night

Renegades will get Cameron White back, but not Finch

The CA obsession with guys who can bowl 150 clicks or hit big bombs is becoming a joke.

Richardson might be good in a few years, but how about making him earn a test squad inclusions first? Half a dozen first class games, no first class 5w haul and an economy over 3rpo.. i'm just shaking my head in disbelief.
Especially because we're about to be dismantled by Vernon Philander. Sayers is our own version. A bowler who can exploit whatever assistance a pitch offers. The fact that he offers something different to Starc, Hazelwood and Cummins is exactly why he should be in the squad. Instead we just want our cookie cutter back ups - Bird for Hazewlood, Richardson for Cummins.

Port Pirie Power wrote:Pooraka (1) vs Pooraka (2) in the T20 semis.

At Pooraka?

The rise and fall of teams recently shows how tight the competition is. Southers premiership but only a few players dropping off and they slid down. Eagles down then up with only a few changes to player list.

It's good to have new teams challenging all the time. Keeps hope for all teams and means no one can rest on their laurels. Great competition at the moment and SA cricket in general on the up. Merger stuff not hanging over anyone's head. Redbacks and Strikers going pretty well (men and women). Few SA guys sniffing around Aus team. Test record attendance, Aus day fixture back. Good times!

Laughlin’s one finger slower ball that swings away is damn near unplayable when he gets it right. Well at least unscoreable
Just about my favourite player. Just a stock standard medium pacer but has worked out ways to be effective and excel at that level. Has developed his skills and has a couple of points of difference that make him unique to face. Premiership player and off to IPL!

There's hope for all of us.

Not sure it's an up yours to Hohns.

Hohns has picked him. Said that he was behind Bird fractionally and this shows that he was. Hasn't held a grudge about Sayers' media comments.

Will Sayers room with Jhye Richardson? :D Wish he'd just shut his mouth. Whether he had a point or not, it reflected badly on him.

Thread finally delivering!

Hard to see any way back into this game. Even if we take 8/100 today that's too many to chase

Heck, even if we take 8/0 I'd have my doubts

Carrington has certainly earned his spot looking at his B Grade scores. Nice to see kids promoted on potential AND performance, rather than just talent alone.

Colleges have had their Year 4s playing Friday night cricket on turf for about 25 years

On shortened pitches

That are going to be used the next day

Yet the decks have miraculously survived and cricket has lived on!

Must say really disappointed in the GOAT for the ball drop on Faf, while it was only gentle was 100% deliberate and certainly not what cricket is about

Gutless, weak and bordering on turning the game physical

Could not have blamed Faf for one second if he took the helmet and gloves off and wanted to lay down the fists.

The Aussie side is quickly turning into a very unlikeable bunch of personalities. Warner is a first class wanker and always will be. I love Smith but can understand how some would dislike his petulant behaviour and the GOAT is quickly believing the nick name
Agree with you

Lyon seemed to get caught up in the moment and dropped the ball as a cheeky FU to de Villiers.

Couple of starts for McInerney. Shame he didn't go on with one of them. I'm sure he'll get another chance in the last game though. Good to see Woodville producing another state cricketer.

Have there been any letters to the editor praising their player development?

We did not use them last year, and were not given any to use at Training either.
Every club got a sample box last year I thought.

Maybe they had only budgeted for 12 boxes for 12 clubs though? One had to miss out :D

McInerney and Smith joint winners. Brooke Harris the Rolton Medal.

TOTY: McInerney, Raphael (c), Page, Plant (Page & Plant haha), Dougall, Smith, Nielsen, Andrews, Robins, O'Connell, Turley, Patterson, Ben Cameron coach

Slidingdoors wrote:Massive announcement coming out of the Bays presentation night last night, more to come...

???

Changing nickname from Seahorses to Palindromes?

bothamsfearnley wrote:Brahma Lodge CC are pleased to announce the reappointment of two time Bradman Medalist Anthony Heinrich as club coach.

Potential players are invited to discuss opportunities at the club for the coming season with Anthony on 0409 027 893.

At least spell his name right!

No player wants to play on the test weekend

bloods08 wrote:Think there are a lot of problems with the fixture as a few grades have now been taken down.

Also see Gepps are to play Golden Grove at Harpers Field 2 games in a row in C1.

Could have a four day game!

Squad for JLT
Batters: Weatherald, Ferguson, Lehmann, Ross, Cooper
Keepers: Carey, Nielsen
Allrounder: Valente
Quicks: Mennie, Richardson, Worrall, Sayers, Johnson
Spinner: Zampa

Seems a slightly unbalanced squad. One batter short, one quick too many.

The actual XI is pretty good though. Yeah, we'll win this thing.

Aaaaaand.... covers back on

**** you

**** the rain

**** Sri Lanka

Eee i eee i o

The Bedge wrote:PA still have women's cricket? I had heard that most their players had looked into putting a side into PDCA?

Para Districts women is Monday nights isn't it? Maybe they are looking at playing in both for some extra practice

Two forfeits per week

Armchair expert wrote:Shaun Marsh the Darsh gone

And the even shitter brother gone too.

3/38

A bloke Jack Jackson took a double hattrick yesterday for Port's D Grade!

In even more astonishing news, there is a person with the name Jack Jackson

Batting the full 96 overs on Day 1 probably an error on West Torrens part in hindsight

Lightning McQueen wrote:7/137

At least we've scored more than our first dig.

#improvement
#teamontheup

We'll pile them on in our 3rd innings

Eagles2014 wrote:Richo might be the best at mixing cordial, as will be 12th man for sure.

Cant see him playing another Shield game this season, with Sayers back in February and the Dukes ball favouring Winter, he is shot!

Has 1/236 in his two Shield game so far

And took 2/144 in his one Future's game

Interested in peoples thoughts..

Was having a chat Sat night about people playing in certain grades, or players who feel they've 'earned' their chance to play lower, also that youth should be promoted where possible so you dont have washed up old blokes holding up the higher grades.

Question is, do you think there comes an age when players should begin moving down grades, or purely when ability stops them from doing so? Is there such thing as players "paying their dues" and earning the right to play in a lower grade?
I reckon you can have a couple of 'senior players' in each of your lower grade teams. Captain and vice captain. Guys that don't want to play higher anymore, whose role becomes leading and organising that team.

However all the other players must move between teams as their ability, performance and player availability dictates.

You can't have a collection of mates in a lower grade team who are only going to play Bs for instance.

When that happens there are no players for your As to draw on when needed. Makes it harder for players to move through the grades at your club. Typically those older guys won't miss out on a bat/bowl too often so it's the kids who do.

When the 'group of mates' teams occur it ceases to be a cricket club. It's just a standalone team that happens to wear the same shirt and cap as the teams in other grades. Really they could play under another name. They are a separate entity. Club culture poison.

The 'stay down to win a flag' mindset is another club culture killer. Great fun for those guys and plenty of gas drunk, especially if they do win one, but destroys the team(s) above. The epitome of selfishness.

Just my two cents :)

Eagles2014 wrote:So if Strikers lose on Saturday night to Scorchers, we will finish bottom. Gone from top to bottom in one season with same list. Has a Redbacks feel to it!!

Except without the finishing top bit

Needs a Best of 9 grand final