Cairns cricket set for big weekend with five games of grand final action at Cazalys Stadium

Cricket Far North’s governing body has revealed its updated plans for this weekend’s grand finals in light of rain scuppering second grade action. SEE THE PLANS

AFL Cairns has completed its masterplan to transform Cazalys into a 20,000-seat stadium and an international sporting precinct. Image: Cox Architecture

Cricket Far North’s governing body has revealed how it plans to tackle this weekend’s first and second grade grand final fixtures, in light of the seconds grand final between Muddies and Rovers on Sunday not being completed due to poor weather.

In an email to the relevant parties, CFN president Dan Freebody said as per the playing conditions of the competition, the league can reschedule a new fixture despite the previous fixture having been started.

The game is scheduled for Sunday at Cazalys Stadium, however the league noted that this could cause issues as this is also the backup day and location for the first grade grand final.

“If first grade is moved to Sunday, the second grade final will instead be played at Griffiths Park, which is already being prepared as an alternative venue,” Freebody said in the email.

“For now, assume the match is at Cazalys.”

In addition, the game is set to begin at an earlier start time of 11am, giving teams an additional 90 minutes of leeway before overs must be lost.

Should the game not be able to be completed, Muddies will be declared the winner as they were the higher team on the ladder.

Josh Chadwick bats for Rovers in the Cricket Far North A Grade grand final match between Mulgrave and Rovers, held at Walker Road sports complex, Edmonton. Picture: Brendan Radke

Minor and junior grade contigencies revealed

CFN president Dan Freebody guaranteed the league will do its best to ensure every grand final will be played this weekend as they finalise multiple contingencies in case of poor weather.

Five games are scheduled to be played at Cazalys Stadium across Saturday and Sunday after the semi-final rounds for second, third and fourth grades, plus women’s and under-18 competitions were washed out over the weekend.

While the competition is focused on playing as much cricket as possible this weekend, Freebody said there will be contingency plans in place should that prove impossible.

“Obviously it gets complicated next weekend with the first grade grand final also in the mix,” he said.

“What I can guarantee is that every game will have a backup option, it just may be at a different venue and be played next weekend.

“But the hope is it doesn’t come to that, the rain seems to be forecast to taper off at the back end of this week so the plan is to play as much cricket as possible.”

While the lack of semi-finals action was far from the result players and clubs wanted, Freebody said the teams set to face off had still more than earned their place in the final.

“They were the best teams in the home and away season, so ultimately they earned that spot,” he said.

Freebody said while obviously the weather is out of their control, the competition has done everything in its power to ensure games go ahead.

“There are a lot of great grounds around Cairns, but a lot of money has been put into making Cazalys an elite facility,” Freebody said.

“It’s the first time Cazalys has hosted cricket grand finals in 20 years so it’s a very exciting development for us in that respect.”

The Jimmy Maher Cup under-18s competition will kick things off at 8am on Saturday, followed by the third grade clash and concluding with the senior women’s final getting underway at 6pm.

Fourth grade will get underway at 8am on the Sunday, followed by second grade to round out the weekend’s action at Cazalys.

In the meantime, the first grade semi-final between Norths and Rovers will also take place on oval 1 at Griffith Park.

Originally published as Cairns cricket set for big weekend with five games of grand final action at Cazalys Stadium