Richo_37 wrote:Thought I would share my thoughts on the format
- Two day cricket appears to have enough support from the larger clubs to always remain as the premium format
- Most of the feedback I have received is that the 6 team divisions has been an improvement
- The Lo grades do not favour clubs genuinely developing younger players in C, D and E grades
- Some have the view that the season is too long and overlaps too much with other sporting codes
- There were only 16 clubs with an A grade playing 2 day format this season
What I would propose
1. Two day cricket is retained as the premium format, however only grades 1 and 2 include this format
2. Grades 3 and down only play one day format
3. Under current 6 team format the season is shortened to 15 weeks in the minor round and 2 weeks finals
4. Test match, Australia day weekend and Adelaide Cup weekends are non playing weekends
5. Clubs are either nominated two day clubs, aspirational two day clubs or only one day clubs
6. There is an annual application process for aspirational clubs to be accepted as two day clubs, at which point season duration is reviewed
7. Ultimate goal is for 8 team two day competitions with grade 1 and 2 extending beyond the season duration of other grades
8. Potentially a reserves two day competition in future sitting at grade 3 containing only B grade sides from grade 1 and 2
My $2.
The comp is stagnant, trial something different for a year - like all two layers this year. We are an ageing competition and there are not a HEAP of kids filtering in like we need to ensure a healthy competition in 15 years time. Move to compulsory live scoring, have the Association host a Match Centre with FrogBox and allow the clubs to purchase their own FrogBox Kits to stream matches live, increase engagement and give another platform for sponsors visibility. This will allow for potentially better coaching for players and Umpires.
Move to all One Day cricket, Div 1 45 overs, Div 2-4 40 overs, Div 5-Down 35 overs. 8 team Divisions with Div 1 and 2 A Grade only for the first year, Smithfield and Craigmore in to the six from Div 1 this season, Para Vista, Pen Pirates, Atco and Enfield into 2, Wells and OTH heading up div 3.
14 rounds of 1 Day competition with 2 for finals. One day rules.
Then work a seperate T20 competition into the calendar, 4 Pools of 6 geographically based. Only allow clubs to enter 2 teams maximum of two sides/teams for the T20 comp, Reduce the pool to increase the talent. Also if a club is travelling poorly in the 1 day comp, they are still alive in the T20 comp. Some Sundays required for a 10 game fixture, but if a fixture released pre season Clubs can plan sufficiently. Have top 5 (of 6) in the T20 comp play finals, have the 4 host venues pre determined for finals and a club play up to 3 games within the one day for a T20 'carnival' for final.
8 Sundays in total to be successful, 24 games of cricket without finals. More cricket for hopefully more members strengthening our clubs with more participants.
At the moment, we have up to 2 "Substitutes" available to rotate through teams each week, which I like and understand if you have players coming in and out for Grade cricket but feel this year it was used for work or holidays. One Day Cricket solves this issue. Also time and time again, I read or hear how teams refuse to play two day cricket, a move to meet them finalises this argument. I can think of 4 off pace bowlers playing Div 1 cricket this year, needing to bowl allotted overs in a set time frame will hopefully see an increase in off pace bowling improving the all-round cricketers we produce as an association.
If it doesn't work in 2022/23 revert back to a mixed 2 day/1 day competition in 2023/24, will also allow a 'reset' with A Grade, B Grade, C Grade and D grade teams aligning in divisions in the short term.
