Adelaide Turf Cricket Association tells clubs to record individual player statistics amid PlayHQ issues

An Adelaide cricket competition fears it won’t be able to give out individual awards and has told clubs to record their own statistics as the new PlayHQ scoring system remains plagued with issues.

One of Adelaide’s top local cricket competitions has told clubs to start recording individual player stats as the new PlayHQ scoring and data system continues to present issues.

The Adelaide Turf Cricket Association made a statement to all of its clubs this week informing that they would need to be sent statistics for each side’s top scorer and wicket-taker of the 2023 campaign in order to hold end of season awards.

PlayHQ, a new system for scoring and data which was rolled out across local cricket at the start of the 2022-2023 season, has been a work in progress throughout the current campaign, presenting issues including a lack of statistics available and live match update errors.

“With the end of the season approaching, the ATCA is requesting clubs to start the process of identifying your player stats for each grade,” the statement read.

“The ATCA has lost confidence in Cricket Australia’s ability to deliver on the promise of a new website which will accurately display individual player stats.

Action from an East Torrens vs West Torrens Premier Cricket match this season. Picture: Dean Martin

“What the Association is requesting is for clubs to provide the top two run scorers and wicket takers in each of their teams at the end of round 10 or 17 with the ATCA responsible to collect the data from the last round that will allow us to accurately identify the end of season batting and bowling awards.”

While a synching process has begun between old scoring system MyCricket and PlayHQ for stats, ATCA president David Heyzer said stats from multiple games this season have been missed.

He said concern was continuing to grow within the competition that player awards would not go ahead with just over a month of the season remaining.

“We need the batting and bowling stats for each grade in about five weeks’ time – we were originally told by Cricket Australia that these issues would be solved by January and while there have been some fixes to other aspects of the system, there still hasn’t been a solution for player stats,” Heyzer said.

“I think in the long run it will be okay but I’m very concerned that for this season I’ll be presenting the awards to the wrong players if we don’t get all the batting and bowling statistics.”

Adelaide’s Sam Scrimgeour bats against Prospect. Batting and bowling stats have been missing on PlayHQ for the local cricket season. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Heyzer also added some smaller clubs would have to rely on already limited volunteer staff to collect and record the player statistics.

“It shouldn’t be too difficult a job but some clubs are frustrated and those with less volunteers may struggle a bit,” he said.

“It might only be 30 minutes to an hour of extra work but it’s still extra work which has been created by issues with the current scoring system.

“There is a road map ahead and it PlayHQ should be great in a year or so but right now there are still some teething issues.”

An anonymous player from the ATCA said the system had been a ‘mess’.

“We’re putting money in for it and we expect it to pay off but so far that hasn’t been the case, we’re essentially getting nothing back and we now have to do the statistics ourselves.

“It’s been unreliable but hopefully it improves soon or at least for next season.”

Cricket Australia said a solution to the issue was being worked through with local clubs and competitions.

“A solution is already in development and testing and the concerned association has been consulted and made aware that a solution is being developed,” a spokesperson said.

“While the concerns of clubs are understandable, in this instance we have consulted widely to ensure clarity and provide reassurance on the issue.”