Far North Coast cricket launches Covid Cup for vaccinated players

A makeshift trophy has been skilfully crafted for the launch of the “Covid Cup”, a new cricket competition on the North Coast only for those who are double dosed.

Northern Rivers Rock player Caleb Ziebell bowls to Orana Outlaws captain Nathan Pilon at the Plan B Regional Bash Twenty20 final at the at the SCG in 2016. Selectors for this year’s team will be watching he new Covid Cup throughout the month of November.

Far North Coast Cricket has launched a four-week competition dubbed the Covid Cup to give double vaccinated players a chance to get out on the pitch ahead of the LJ Hooker Premier League season.

Matches started on Saturday and will be played between nine teams in a modified 20-over format until the end of November.

Far North Coast Cricket president Phil Melville said the committee could only allow those with two jabs to participate due to health orders.

“The teams can include players from 1st and 2nd grades in order to fill sides,” he said.

Far North Coast Cricket has launched the Covid Cup competition with a $500 prize up for grabs.

Cricket Australia released a ‘return to play’ guidelines update early in November asking participants to keep an open mind as the game would be different to normal.

“Cricket will look different this season and it may take more time and effort than normal,” the guidelines read.

“Remember: cricket in a pandemic is a privilege – not a right.”

Players will need to be aware of the 1.5m distancing rule and the match ball must be cleaned and sanitised every 20 overs.

Compulsory check-ins will also be in place at match venues.

There is extra incentive for players to participate in the makeshift competition as it will be played under the eye of selectors for the region’s twenty20 team, Northern Rivers Rock.

The Rock are scheduled to play the Macquarie Coast Stingers in round 1 of the Plan B Regional Bash at Fripp Oval in Ballina on December 4.

Local cricketers who made the team last season included Abe Crawford (Tintenbar), Angus Callan (Lennox Head), Alec Williams (Cudgen), Timmy Martin (Casino), Ben Moyle (Lennox Head), Ben Carruthers (Ballina Bears), Freeman Goldsworthy (Tintenbar), Sam McLean (Lismore Workers), Kyle Yager (Alstonville) wicket keeper Brady Toniello (Lismore Workers), Terry Murphy (Alstonville) and James Julius (Cudgen).

“The winner of the Regional Bash will get the chance to play at the Sydney Cricket Ground sometime early next year,” Mr Melville said.