VTCA 2018-19: Bonus points to be scrapped after overwhelming call from players

BONUS points are set to be scrapped by the Victorian Turf Cricket Association as it returns to a more traditional scoring model this summer.

Danny Law of Westmeadows drives during the VTCA cricket grand final between Westmeadows and St Francis de Sales played at Hanmer Reserve on Saturday 17 March, 2018.

BONUS points are set to be scrapped by the Victorian Turf Cricket Association as it returns to a more traditional scoring model this summer.

VTCA president Steve McNamara said some clubs had called for a rule change in 10 of the past 12 seasons to remove bonus points, but it had been defeated each time.

VTCA 2018-19: ASSOCIATION WEIGHS UP SALARY CAP INTRODUCTION

Clubs are allocated 0.20 points for each wicket taken and 0.01 points for each run scored under the current bonus point system.

McNamara said about 85 per cent of respondents to an association survey issued after the 2017-18 season had called for bonus points to be axed, prompting the VTCA to take action.

“I would say it’s absolutely inevitable bonus points will be scrapped,” McNamara said.

“It was discussed at our divisional structure meeting and there seems to be a real push there from all clubs now. Now players have had their say, they want bonus points scrapped. We are certainly looking to facilitate that.”

Westmeadows was one of the club’s to take advantage of the bonus points system last summer.

Several teams claimed 15 points or more from matches last season after bonus points were factored in, including a whopping 16.76 points collected by Westmeadows when it routed Werribee Centrals in Round 11. Successful teams are awarded 10 points for an outright win after a first-innings lead, six points for a victory on first innings and three for a tie.

The association is yet to decide whether to adopt that system without bonus points or introduce another model.

McNamara said the changes were expected to take place from the start of the 2018-19 campaign.

“We are still working through (the model),” he said. “But it looks that way with the percentage from runs and wickets. That will be definitely be implemented this summer.”

The VTCA is also investigating the implementation of a salary cap, however it will not be implemented this summer.