Sub-District cricket: Brighton fields only 10 players in its First XI in first match of the season

Brighton was the talking point of the opening day of the VSDCA season when it chose only 10 players to take the field against Elsternwick.

Brighton recruit Peter Cassidy delivers for the 10-men Tonners. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Leading Victorian Sub-District club Brighton took the extraordinary step of fielding only 10 players in its First XI team on Saturday.

In a development that quickly became a talking point of the first day of the Subbies season, the Tonners opted to go in one player short against Elsternwick in the match at Elsternwick Park.

But they still managed to win the one-dayer by seven wickets after a dazzling innings of 95 not out by captain Ricky Damiano.

In the off-season the club recruited Dandenong premiership allrounder Peter Cassidy, who came as a four-point player from Premier Cricket.

Brighton’s first-choice team comes in at 20 points. But Sub-District officials indicated months ago that the points cap would be dropping from 20 to 19 this season.

Brighton players bunch after the first wicket of the match. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The Tonners were unsuccessful in asking the VSDCA for an exemption. They said they were even prepared to drop to 17 points next season if they could have a cap of 20 in 2021-22.

The club is also aggrieved at point classifications made in previous seasons to former Premier pair Justin Butterfield and Rob Salerni.

It has asked for an appeal.

Damiano took the field with 10 players after he sent in Elsternwick.

Elsty reached 8-203 off their 45 overs, with new captain Lincoln “LJ’’ Edwards cracking 75 from 76 balls in his return to the club.

Brighton got the runs in the 37th over after a first-wicket partnership of 63 from Brenton Murphy (37) and Josh Drummond (21).

The openers set the table for Damiano, the VSDCA’s leading centurymaker, and he feasted on the Elsty bowling, his unbeaten 95 coming off only 83 balls.

There were 9 fours and 1 six.

Brighton fielded only 10 players against Elsternwick. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Cassidy slipped in with 28 not out as the visitors cruised home.

“It’s obviously been a challenging last few weeks as we got an understanding from the club about what was going on,’’ Damiano said this morning.

“I wasn’t willing to not play one of our pointed players considering they came to our club expecting to play First XI cricket.

“I just didn’t think it was fair for any of them guys to miss out. We’ll play 10 as long as the situation continues.’’

Asked if Brighton was bringing the game into disrepute, Damiano replied: “I don’t see it like that. If we’re playing with 10 it puts us at a disadvantage. I don’t see it as an issue, to be honest.’’

He said it had been difficult in the field, particularly with class act Edwards batting well.

Damiano described the Brighton side as a “pretty amazing 10 players’’.

The captain confirmed one player who disagreed with the decision had made himself unavailable.

VSDCA president Phil O’Meara said this morning he was disappointed Brighton had chosen to go into a First XI match with 10 players.

He said it wasn’t a “good look’’ for the Sub-District competition.

“I don’t like it, put it that way,’’ he said.

“I don’t think it’s good for our competition. It’s not a good look. I know it’s not against the rules but morally I think it’s the wrong thing to do.’’

O’Meara said the association had granted Brighton an appeal and a Cricket Victoria panel would hear it this week.

He said he and Tonners president Bernard Mutimer had agreed to “accept the umpire’s decision’’.

“I’m hoping it will be put to bed one way or the other this week,’’ O’Meara said.

The match was also notable for Elsternwick stalwart Cam Christiansen’s admission to the VSDCA 200 Game Club.

The right-hander has scored 5937 runs, a First XI record, and served as club coach and captain.

An innings of 156 not out is the highest of his four centuries.

“Ricky ruined the party, he’s a genius,’’ Christiansen said of Damiano.