Local cricket: DVCA makes change to finals series for 2020-21 season
The Diamond Valley Cricket Association will have a season of one-day matches in 2020-21, while the finals series will take on a new-look across all grades.
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The top-two teams will be rewarded with a double chance in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association this summer.
In previous seasons, finalists have had to navigate cut-throat semi-finals to advance to the decider.
But the minor premier and second-ranked side will be handed a vital safety net in the first week, creating a three-week finals series.
DVCA general manager Adam Drinkwell said clubs had a “major input” into the move and said it could be implemented beyond this season.
“We thought it was an opportunity to give an extra week of cricket for those who make the finals,” Drinkwell said.
“Playing one-day cricket this year, it’s an opportunity for the top-two teams to really get an advantage in terms of having a double chance. Just trying to make the end of the season a little bit more interesting this season.
“Depending on how the finals series is received, we’ll then make the call on whether it’s a standard thing or if we go back to the usual finals system.”
All grades will contest one-day fixtures, with the season set to start on November 14 subject to the easing of coronavirus restrictions.
The DVCA had considered including five Saturday-Sunday games for the competition’s top-six grades – Barclay Shield, Money Shield, Mash Shield, B Grade, C Grade and D Grade.
But Drinkwell said an “overwhelming majority” of clubs favoured a campaign of 14 one-day fixtures.
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