MPCA: earlier start times and marquee players for 2022-23 season

Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association clubs have made a big call on marquee players for 2022-23. And there’s been a significant change to a playing condition.

Long Island batsman Zach Wilson middles one against Baxter. Picture: Valeriu Campan

A shot of excitement for the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association, with marquee players to be allowed in the Jack Peacock Twenty20 competition next season.

Clubs voted in favour of the new rule at the MPCA annual general meeting on Wednesday night.

Big name players, including international stars, can now slot into an MPCA club’s line up in the T20 competition, whipping up excitement and potentially boosting crowds.

But once registered, the player can only play with that particular club in that season; he can’t switch to another team.

Most local associations have allowed marquee players for years but this is the first time the MPCA has brought in the rule.

Sorrento players during last season’s MPCA Provincial grand final.

Meanwhile, there’s been a significant change to playing conditions in the MPCA.

Senior games will start earlier, with a 12.30pm hit off locked in.

Previously, it was a 1pm start.

MPCA general manager Jason Nagel said clubs wanted to play earlier on Saturdays.

“We trialled it three times last year and then we sent a survey out to the clubs,” he said.

“And 85 percent of clubs came back and said they want it as a permanent thing.

“So based on that, it’s pretty resounding.”

However, a proposal to reduce overs to 60 per side in two-day games for lower grades (A grade and below) was defeated.

It will remain at 70 overs per side.

In other news from the AGM, three people were voted on to the MPCA board — Cam Price joining as junior vice president and head of the junior pennant committee and former Baden Powell president Richard Wicks and Matt Wilton from Crib Point also joining.

The MPCA season starts on Saturday, October 1.

First and Second XIs will begin with two one-day games before switching to red-ball cricket with a two-dayer in Round 3.

The season will have a three-week break at Christmas.

Finals start on March 11, 2023.