Fixtures, rule changes revealed in Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association

Mornington Peninsula cricket clubs have suggested more than 100 ways to improve the local competition, while the MPCA’s Round 1 fixtures have been released. SEE THEM HERE

Billy Thomson of Carrum bowling last season. Picture: Hamish Blair

Mornington Peninsula cricket clubs have suggested more than 100 ways to improve the local competition after being surveyed over the past few months.

The MPCA held forums in February to discuss the state of cricket and share ideas, with the aim to grow the game.

Afterwards, clubs were sent a survey and asked for their own ideas.

“We had about 110 (ideas) come through,’’ MPCA general manager Jason Nagel said.

A state of play meeting was held on Wednesday, with the MPCA confirming some rules and recommending others, to be voted on at the annual general meeting on July 26.

The MPCA season will continue to be a mix of one-day and two-day cricket in 1sts and 2nds.

Games will again start at 12.30pm.

A three-week break at Christmas will remain.

Sorrento players. Picture: Valeriu Campan

MPCA clubs were split on whether firsts and seconds, or just firsts, should play a one-day game on Sunday, February 4.

There’s a push for the seconds to play a T20 game on Tuesday, February 6.

Clubs will decide.

Only firsts and seconds will play over the Melbourne Cup and Australia Day weekends — the same as last season.

The Jack Peacock Cup will remain on Tuesday evenings, but could possibly consist of eight groups of four, instead of four groups of eight.

“To hopefully eliminate dead rubbers at the end,’’ Nagel said.

Nagel said every club with a lower grade two-day team must play in A Grade, “to try and even up the comp”.

Some of the recommendations put to clubs, and to be voted on at the AGM, are:

*Lower grade cricket to start at 1 o’clock and be a 60-over two day competition.

*Clubs to field 12 players in all grades, with lower grades potentially 13.

“The number one factor is retention of players,’’ Nagel said.

“If you’re unavailable one week you actually get to play a game of cricket rather than sitting out. So that’s the intention of every rule that we’re trying to bring in, the retention of cricketers.’’

*Player eligibility…you can go from A or B grade down to any C grade comp.

“If you’re only available one week you can drop from your two day team down into your C grade, you don’t have to drop to your club’s next lower grade,’’ Nagel said.

Clubs will also vote on whether to make the Second XI competition 70 or 80 overs.

In C grade, the last game before Christmas will be a T20, “just to see if it takes off, if they like it,’’ Nagel said. “Potentially we could add a few more in moving forward.’’

The MPCA also explained the move from MyCricket to PlayHQ next season.

“Every player now has to register themselves as opposed to the club doing it, that’s the major change,’’ Nagel said.

Baden Powell batter Coen Chernishoff on the drive. Picture: Valeriu Campan

MPCA released Round 1 fixtures, on October 7, for First XI:

PROVINCIAL

Baden Powell vs Langwarrin

Red Hill vs Pines

Sorrento vs long Island

Old Peninsula vs Heatherhill (Provincial and Peninsula Premiers)

PENINSULA

Mt Eliza vs Seaford Tigers

Rosebud vs Baxter (District Premiers vs Provincial Relegated)

Moorooduc vs Somerville

Mornington vs Dromana

DISTRICT

Carrum Downs vs Carrum

Balnarring vs Flinders (Sub District Premiers vs Peninsula Relegated)

Seaford vs Delacombe Park

Main Ridge vs Crib Point

SUB DISTRICT

Pearcedale vs Frankston YCW

Hastings vs Ballam Park

Skye vs Tyabb

Tootgarook vs Rye

Boneo vs Mt Martha