The Geelong Cricket Association endorses amended draw rules for the 2024-25 season

The Geelong Cricket Association has made a decision about proposed amendments to its divisive draw rules last season, as it brings back a new-look finals structure.

St Peter's drew its GCA2 first grade grand final against Torquay to win the premiership. Picture: St Peter's CC.

The Geelong Cricket Association has retained its controversial tactical draw rules, but will no longer award three points to teams involved in drawn games.

Meanwhile, a three-week finals series structure will be brought back for all grades and will remain the preferred system by the GCA unless the local sporting calendar does not allow.

In a letter to all club presidents on Friday, the GCA’s general committee chair, Daniel Breen, said the rule changes sought to “strike a balance” between encouraging broad participation, supporting intermediate cricketers and providing fixturing options to test the skills of our higher-level players.

The GCA's new playing conditions. Picture: GCA.

The association introduced the tactical draw rules for the 2023-24 season, which resulted in North Geelong and St Peter’s drawing their respective GCA 1 and 2 first grade grand finals.

The association wanted to trigger more creativity and tactical nous from captains.

However, it drew some criticism within the local cricket community including East Belmont who lost the GCA1 first grade grand final to the Magpies.

However, in a further amendment, the “tactical two-day” rules will only apply for GCA1 first and second grade and GCA2 first grade in 24-25.

“No points will be awarded for a draw,” Breen said in the letter.

“Instead, bonus points will be applied in all tactical two-day fixtures, based on 0.004 points per run (first innings only) and 0.1 points per wicket taken (first innings only).

“Teams will be required to complete a minimum of 80 overs per day in home and away matches.”

However, finals matches will be extended to 100 overs per day to provide “the better teams the best possible chance of achieving a result”, with games starting at 11am.

“An additional 30 minutes will be allowed for teams to complete the minimum 80 overs in home and away matches and 100 overs in a day in finals if required,” he said.

“Over rate penalties will then apply.”

Overs will not be extended in other competitions – GCA2 seconds, GCA3 firsts and seconds and GCA1 thirds and fourths – as shown below.

GCA's new finals rules. Picture: GCA.

In other endorsed rules:

•GCA2 seconds, GCA3 firsts and seconds and GCA1 thirds and fourths will revert to the traditional two-day format.

•In GCA2 seconds and GCA3 firsts and seconds, teams will play a maximum of 80 overs per day, with compulsory closure to be introduced at the end of day one if the team batting first has not been dismissed. GCA1 thirds and fourths will play a maximum of 70 overs per day.

•An additional 30 minutes will be allowed for teams to complete 80 or 70 overs in a day, depending on the division.

•GCA2 thirds will become a 45-over one-day competition.

North Geelong won its fifth consecutive GCA1 first grade premiership. Photo: Wes Cusworth.

•Tea breaks return to 20 minutes in all sections, while there will be earlier start times in most competitions.

•The required over rate has been tightened to 3.5 minutes (average) per over.

•In GCA1, 2, 3 and 4 first grade one day games, all no balls will result in a free hit. A ball that bounces over a batter’s head is deemed a wide and not a no ball.

Andrew Fergusson batting against St Peter’s in the 2023 semi-final of the T20 Knockout Cup. Picture: Alan Barber

The association’s T20 competition will be split into two sections, involving GCA1 and 2 and then GCA3 and 4 with teams drawn into pools of four, as previously recommended.

Meanwhile, clubs were not in favour of coloured clothing and the use of white balls in second grade one day matches.

Originally published as The Geelong Cricket Association endorses amended draw rules for the 2024-25 season