Century Cricket Group launch ‘The Century’, confirm Mackay as host location
A new national tournament with $80,000 prize money and an IPL-style auction - for amateur cricketers - has been unveiled. Discover all the exclusive details and how to nominate.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Amateur cricketers around the country are set to be afforded the opportunity to showcase their talent on a national stage, with a landmark new private franchise cricket tournament slated to begin later this year.
Eight franchises will compete in ‘The Century’ from August 2-4 with matches played in the 100-ball format and an $80,000 prize pool on offer.
Mackay and its Great Barrier Reef Arena precinct has been confirmed as the host location of the tournament, after it was reported by this masthead in November that the region was the frontrunner to earn hosting rights.
The tournament is the brainchild of Century Cricket Group, a privately owned cricket company.
The group’s website states that it aims to create “a full ecosystem of cricketing opportunities through competitions, coaching clinics and training centres”.
Australian cricket legend Ian Healy and renowned commentator Mark Nicholas are among the group’s directors.
Century Cricket chairman Stuart Giles detailed the gap in Australian cricket the group hopes to fill.
“There was almost a real absence for kids to be what they see,” said Giles, a successful healthcare businessman who once captained a Victorian under-19 schoolboys side featuring Shane Warne.
“There wasn’t really a chance for them to participate in a franchise cricket-style competition, and yet most of what they watched … was really getting played in that franchise-style.”
There are no restrictions on who can nominate for the first iteration of the tournament, and nominations are now open now via the Century Cricket Competitions website.
Each franchise will preselect six players for their squad, before the final six roster spots are filled in an IPL-style auction held in Brisbane on June 7.
Century Cricket has hosted a Brisbane-based tournament since the group’s inception in 2021, and since expanded separate iterations in Melbourne and Adelaide.
The first instalment of ‘The Century’ four Queensland-based franchises, while three will be from Adelaide and one from Melbourne.
“We wanted to start with eight teams this year, year one, and nail a good tournament,” said Century Cricket Group regional executive director Nick Fitzpatrick.
“We offered those eight positions out to current owners in Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne and they were taken up very quickly.
“There are future plans to expand and invite other teams from other states and cities as the Century Cricket Competitions continue to roll out around the country in future years,”
Household Big Bash names Josh Brown, Paddy Dooley, and Nikhil Chaudhary have previously played in Century’s tournaments, while Australian under-19 World Cup winning captain Hugh Weibgen has also been involved with the group.
Giles believes the new national format will lead to a “significant uplift” in the playing resumes showcased.
“I think some franchises will make a splash with the players they look to join them for sure,” Giles said.
“I think you will see some really, really high profile names.”
Former international cricketer Ben Laughlin, who was the first player to 100 Big Bash wickets, has already been signed by the Great Barrier Reef Rays.
The Rays are a Mackay-based franchise owned by the Great Barrier Reef Arena which hopes to service north Queensland.
Great Barrier Reef Arena and Harrup Park CEO Adrian Young said there would be a “real focus” on local cricketers throughout the Rays programs.
“Last year we had three or four local cricketers play when the competition was played in Brisbane, we’ll be looking to get more (local) guys in the team,” Young said.
“There’s been a bit of a gap and that absolutely is caused by the structure of cricket. If you’re an excellent cricketer and you’re from Mackay, there’s no choice, you have to move to Brisbane.
“I know a lot of guys who have done it and it’s a hard transition, it’s hard to get a start and build your reputation.
“We want to be able to provide some opportunities for people and create a pathway in Mackay and north Queensland.”
The Rays are also establishing a junior program, and have already hosted a school holiday clinic which had Ben Laughlin and Josh Brown in attendance.
Young also noted the economic benefits of hosting ‘The Century’, which will bring in excess of 300 visitors to the Mackay region.
“To have that many people come to the region from a competition at any time is extremely available for the visitor economy, we’re really happy about that,” Young said.
“This competition’s really creating a junior and senior pathway for players into the Big Bash.
“It’s developed itself as the tier under the Big Bash and T20 cricket.”
Giles said he believed tournaments such as ‘The Century’ could help enhance, rather than hinder, Cricket Australia’s already-established pathways. He added that Century Cricket was “very cognisant of and supportive of” those programs.
“We’ve seen players come out of our tournaments really well that have also gone on and done well in the Cricket Australia pathways,” Giles said, noting the success of Chaudhary who was crowned player of the tournament in Brisbane three times before his breakout BBL campaign with the Hurricanes.
“I think (Cricket Australia’s) overarching view is that it’s good that there’s everything and anything occurring that aids the participation in cricket.”
Cricket Australia has been contacted for comment.
More Coverage
Originally published as Century Cricket Group launch ‘The Century’, confirm Mackay as host location
Join the conversation
Rare air for young Ram on debut
First XI debuts with the ball simply don’t come much better, or memorable, than that of Ringwood’s Justin Beaton. Remember the name.
Read more
‘He just gets it done’: Dandenong’s glowing praise for young gun
Dandenong coach Tom Donnell has sung the praises of two star Panthers, including one he thinks could be making a historical start to his Premier Cricket career.
Read more