Cricket news: Greg Ritchie slams $30 food voucher for former Test players at SCG Test

Former Test player Greg Ritchie has slammed the “embarrassing and insulting” offer of a $30 food and drink voucher to attend the Sydney Test against South Africa.

Former Australian and NSW cricketers claim to be “embarrassed and insulted” at being invited to the SCG Test and offered a miserly $30 food and drink voucher by the game’s national players’ union.

The Daily Telegraph has obtained an email from the Australian Cricketers’ Association asking ex-players to attend day two of the Sydney Test against South Africa before stressing there will be “no hospitality at this event.”

And former Test stars fear their minimal $30 voucher amount could vanish inside the opening over given SCG’s hefty food and beverage prices.

It drew a cheeky rebuke from ex-Test batsman Greg Ritchie, who said: “Maybe I could ask the chef if he could cut a hamburger in half so I don’t spend all my voucher at once.

“I wonder if I could buy eight chicken nuggets and eat four in the first session and then eat the other four after the tea interval?

“This is embarrassing and insulting but also hilarious – a $30 voucher. Can you imagine the Queensland Rugby League FOGs sending that through – can you imagine the uproar?

Greg Ritchie has slammed the promise of a $30 voucher to attend the Sydney Test event.

“I’m just glad they have given us plenty of notice for this wonderful get-together because it would enable me to hire my electric bike and ride to Sydney so I’m carbon-neutral in line with the Australian captain’s theme.”

The ACA email - sent out on December 13 titled Member Update – stated: “All members attending will receive a $30 food and drink voucher upon arrival that can be used at all SCG food and drink outlets located in the Victor Trumper Stand.”

ACA officials were criticised for the same penny-pinching offer to former Western Australia and South Australia players late last month.

Ritchie – who played 30 Tests - received the email, despite being a Queenslander, because he previously lived in NSW.

Tongue-firmly-in-cheek, Ritchie added: “This is a magnificent Christmas present. To know that such a generous offer has been made – to know I can go there and be fed and watered the entire day – is so comforting.

Ritchie says the ACA must not think much of their members given the lack of hospitality.

“Actually, that should be ‘fed and watered’ for the first ten minutes before the voucher amount runs out. I’ve looked up the SCG food menu and what a day out I’m going to have!

“I might have to cut back on what I normally have on a day out and maybe pack some sandwiches. But, in all seriousness, what does this show in terms of what the ACA thinks of their past members?”

Another former Test cricketer said: “They can’t be serious?”

Ritchie’s concerns over how quickly his voucher will evaporate were confirmed when The Daily Telegraph checked the SCG food and beverage prices.

The $30 voucher won’t stretch too far with large chips costing $8, a braised beef pie ($8), stadium burger ($13.50), Singapore/Hokkien noodles ($19) while raw fish (200g) would cost $35, crunching the amount in one hit.

Beer prices inside the SCG range from $9.30 to $13.40.

Prices for food and drinks at the SCG means the vouchers won’t get the former Test stars much. Picture: AAP.

The ACA countered by claiming the cost to hold private events for former players is significant and that player numbers attending such functions have been decreasing. It is also anticipated the ACA will invite players to a hospitality function at a Sheffield Shield game this season.

The ACA email to former players reads: “Good morning, the Australian Cricketers’ Association is delighted to invite you to attend the inaugural NSW ‘Day at the Cricket’ event taking place on day two of the third Test between Australia vs South Africa.

“This season the ACA has revamped our annual state reunions, allowing members to enjoy more of the action from the stands, while still having the same opportunity to catch up with fellow members.

“Please note that there will be no hospitality at this event.

“We hope you can join us for what promises to be an entertaining day’s play and a great opportunity to connect with fellow ACA members.”

Originally published as Cricket news: Greg Ritchie slams $30 food voucher for former Test players at SCG Test