SA cricket players want bang for buck as PlayHQ complaints continue

Frustrated amateur cricketers are paying out of their own pockets for a new scoring system they say doesn’t work – but is chaired by the former chief of Cricket Australia.

Local cricketers have continued to air their frustrations over an ‘unreliable’ new scoring system being paid for out of their own pocket.

PlayHQ – chaired by former Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland – was rolled out for the sport by Cricket Australia earlier this year, but has attracted criticism for lack of cumulative stats, issues with standings and inconsistent live scoring.

Registration structure has changed this season on account of the new system, with each senior player paying $22.50 and each junior player $16 to cover insurance, PlayHQ and a new ‘technology fund’ as opposed to the previous structure which saw clubs paying $130 for each senior team and $90 for each junior team.

An anonymous local player with over 30 years’ experience in the Adelaide Turf Cricket Association said their club, players and staff had been disappointed by the product they paid for and questioned whether CA genuinely wanted to improve the system.

“We get MyCricket was old and we needed something new but we didn’t have to pay extra for MyCricket last season, we would pay our playing subs to the club and clubs would then pay an insurance premium of $130 per senior team,” they said.

Action from the weekend’s SACA Premier Cricket match between Sturt and Prospect. Senior SA cricketers have had to pay extra fees for PlayHQ this year. Picture: Dean Martin

“If we’re putting money in we expect it to be invested back in to grassroots cricket positively but so far that hasn’t been the case and we’re essentially getting nothing back – we need to know the money is actually being put to use.

“Hopefully we see a better product with PlayHQ but it’s been unreliable and there have been a number of issues with stats and live scores – it’s meant to be syncing perfectly with MyCricket at the moment as well but we’ve even had junior teams rock up to the wrong venue because that’s where it was in the system.”

A Cricket Australia spokesperson told The Messenger up to $10 per player was going toward PlayHQ and the development of technology to improve the experience.

“The National Registration Fee (seniors $22.50, juniors $16) includes the pre-existing cost of insurance, the PlayHQ registration fee ($4.80) and a small fee ($4.65) that will help fund the development of technology to improve the experience of clubs and players,” they said.

“The PlayHQ registration fee funds use of the platform including the registration process, competition and club administration and scoring services, and is fully transparent at the point of registration.”

Humraj Dhaliwal of prospect bowls against Adelaide during a Premier Cricket match this season. Picture: Keryn Stevens

PlayHQ had been rolled out for local footy and basketball before cricket season began, but users also experienced the same issues.

One local footballer said it had a significant impact on volunteers during the season.

“It was a bit of a joke for footy and rolling it over for cricket was an even worse decision,” they said.

“Clubs are already struggling to keep volunteers but the PlayHQ system requires more hours to register players, add scores and costs more money per player to register.”

A CA spokesperson said the body had been working with SACA and other local bodies to ensure a smooth experience.

“Cricket Australia has worked with the SACA, local associations, clubs and volunteers to ensure the smoothest possible transition to the new PlayHQ competition and admin platform.

“However, we understand this significant change has caused some frustration in the cricket community and apologise to any volunteers who have been inconvenienced.

“We are confident PlayHQ and other initiatives to upgrade the digital tools will greatly enhance the experience of all involved.”