Sheffield Shield final to be played at Karen Rolton Oval after AFL steps in to stop it being played at Adelaide Oval
The AFL says the risk of weather and the short turn around gave it no other option but to deny SACA the chance to play the Sheffield Shield cricket final on the Adelaide Oval.
Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The AFL says turning Adelaide Oval from a cricket ground back to a football arena had unacceptable risks so it could not allow the Sheffield Shield final to be played there.
After days of talks between the state government, South Australian Cricket Association, Stadium Management Authority and AFL, the football league on Friday stopped the Shield decider from being hosted at the famous city ground over concerns at the planned arrangements.
While cricket officials and oval ground staff were confident they could safely transform the ground in between two rounds of footy, the AFL was not satisfied that the quality of the playing surface could be guaranteed to the requisite level.
“After extensive consultation with a range of AFL stakeholders, the AFL has determined that the risks involved in turning around the Adelaide Oval in time to meet the safety and playing standards required for AFL matches are not acceptable,” an AFL spokesman said.
“The tight turnaround required to remove the cricket pitch and restore the surface for football, including the Adelaide home game on the Sunday into the demands of Gather Round, where multiple matches will be played over a short period, meant the AFL felt it couldn’t be satisfied.
“This challenge was further heightened by the potential impact of any adverse weather conditions.
“The AFL has explored all reasonable options to make this work, but after extensive discussions and advice this week, was not satisfied that the planned arrangements met the appropriate risk profile for a safe surface.
“The AFL sincerely thanks Premier Peter Malinauskas, the SACA and the South Australian community for their understanding and acknowledges their significant passion for seeing this match played at Adelaide Oval.”
Oval ground staff would have dropped in a cricket wicket and reduced grass length on Sunday, March 23 – the day after Port Adelaide hosts Richmond in round 2 – then the Shield final would have been played from Monday to Friday (March 24-29).
Karen Rolton Oval will instead host the match, in which SA is hoping to win its first Shield since 1995/96.
Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg was disappointed with the outcome.
“The Sheffield Shield final is a significant event for Australia’s national sport and we believe Adelaide Oval would have been the most appropriate venue,” Greenberg said.
“I would like to thank Premier Malinauskas for his advocacy in this matter and his passionate support of cricket and the South Australia Cricket Association which made an extremely compelling case to host the final at Adelaide Oval.
“We will continue to work collaboratively at all levels to ensure cricket gains and provides appropriate access to shared venues across the country.”
The state government, which had pushed to make the final happen at Adelaide Oval, was also disappointed with the AFL’s decision.
“It was the view of Adelaide Oval and its world renowned head curator in Damien Hough that it was feasible to host the Sheffield Shield final without compromising the standards required for all AFL fixtures,” a state government spokesperson said.
“The state Government is grateful the AFL invested considerable time and effort in examining the proposal to play the Sheffield Shield final at Adelaide Oval ... (and) does appreciate the strong partnership it has with the AFL.
“Equally, we look forward to working closely with SACA to see a great turnout to the final at Karen Rolton Oval.”
The five-day final will begin on Wednesday, March 26.
Originally published as Sheffield Shield final to be played at Karen Rolton Oval after AFL steps in to stop it being played at Adelaide Oval
Freddie reveals horror pix for the first time
England cricket great Freddie Flintoff has revealed the horror photos from his infamous Top Gear crash for the first time.
‘Dog’: Slater’s abusive text before attack
Disgraced cricket great Michael Slater’s horrifying tirade towards a woman - where he assaulted and threatened to kill her - has been laid bare in court.