‘A win for cricket’: The controversial turf wicket policy placed on the DDCA has taken a turn

The turf war between a local council in Melbourne's southeast and its cricket clubs has taken a turn. Here’s what we know.

A small win for cricket.

The City of Greater Dandenong has agreed to defer its contentious turf cricket wicket policy for 12 months after weeks of pushback from the Dandenong District Cricket Association.

In March the council passed a policy that cut clubs to just two turf teams – and only on Saturdays – in a push to promote junior and female cricket.

“In recent years there has been an increase in the use of turf wickets by lower-level teams for these high-quality facilities from DDCA affiliate clubs, ie teams which are not of a high enough standard of performance to warrant a turf table cricket wicket ground, for example fourth or fifth grade teams or social teams,’’ the policy said.

“The policy dictates that turf wickets will not be allocated for turf Grade E or 5+, Masters or equivalent level of cricket. These teams are to play on synthetic cricket wickets.’’

It said the turf wickets presented a “significant cost for council to maintain’’.

Jordan Hammond bowls for the DDAC representative side. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Clubs worried they would lose their turf allocation completely if they were unable to meet the council’s aim of having stronger junior and female programs.

The motion has since been postponed.

DCA president Hilary Wijeratne said it was a short-term victory for clubs.

He said it would have been “very hard’’ for them to make almost immediate changes in line with the council’s policy.

Wijeratne said the council would continue to push hard about juniors and women’s cricket and the clubs would have to make progress in both areas.

“It’s pleasing but it’s not the end of it,’’ he said.

“Obviously we’re going to have to develop a strategy to make sure we can continue to play cricket on the weekend, Saturday and Sunday.’’

Damien Fleming medallist Blade Baxtet sends one down. Picture: Andy Brownbill

He said it was disastrous that the DDCA had lost a club, Springvale, during the talks with the City of Greater Dandenong.

The Scorpions have folded after 108 years of cricket, after the council rejected their proposal to share the Newcomen Rd wicket with another club to save on costs.

Silverton Cricket Club has been given use of Springvale Reserve.

Wijeratne said the DDCA clubs continued to work towards getting up junior teams.

Dandenong West is the latest to advertise for a coach.

“The bare minimum we need at the moment is for them to sign up for the Woolworths Blast,’’ Wijeratne said.

There have also been suggestions of clubs operating “hubs’’ to slowly build numbers.

Buckley Ridges’ players celebrate a wicket. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Buckley Ridges president Sonny De Silva was angered by the original motion, pointing out the Bucks use their lower-level turf teams to develop junior cricketers.

De Silva understands the need for junior and female cricket in the area but feels the immediacy was a “knee-jerk reaction”.

“I think it’s a win for cricket, more than anything else,” he said.

“The right decision was made after all the facts were looked into, not just knee-jerk reactions.

“Change is imminent, obviously, but there has to be a process and a timeline.

“The DDCA was full frontal about this as well, they led well, they had so many different meetings, all the clubs worked together and they’ve backed down.“