Verdict handed down; Cricket Gold Coast reveal ‘wet pitch’ findings after ‘intense’ investigation

After an ‘intense’ investigation, Cricket Gold Coast hand down their verdict following allegations made against Palm Beach over the covering of their pitch

Palm Beach Cricket Club has been cleared over any wrong doing following an ‘intense’ investigation into the condition of a pitch they presented.

The incident has since prompted Cricket Gold Coast to prepare a memo that will be sent out to all clubs on Wednesday declaring harsher penalties will apply to anyone who hasn’t got a pitch up to standard leading into finals.

As Palm Beach pulled back the covers and hessian on the morning of day two of round 16 in Premier First Grade, it was evident that after the heavy rainfall leading into the week, rain had managed to soak through the covers.

Cricket Gold Coast secretary Michael Guy said it was evident they tried to get a game on.

Rain had leaked through covers causing the match between Palm Beach and Queens to be abandoned. Picture: Supplied

“We came to the conclusion following an intense investigation, weather permitted, they did everything they could,” Guy said.

“It is tough this time of the year because of the weather we get here in Queensland.”

Palm Beach playing-coach James McNeil said the club is happy with the outcome.

“We never had any doubt that we did all we could, so it is nice to be validated by Cricket Gold Coast who followed their process,” McNeil said.

“We had blokes down there from 6am trying to dry the wicket.

“Even the juniors were on the super sopper which is a testament to the club members.

“We were pretty frustrated as well, given the position we were in and the possibility of being second place.”

The investigation has now lead to the association taking action if complaints are made about clubs not properly preparing a wicket, especially leading into finals.

“Evidently, if we receive a complaint that a pitch was not prepared, or seriously wet, and it is clear that is the case then the club will receive serious penalties,” Guy said.

“We all know what it is like this time of the year and we understand it can be difficult to prepare pitches.

“But if it is clear that clubs have not done everything in their power to make sure a pitch is prepared, then they will face the consequences.

“We haven’t confirmed what those consequences are at this stage but as a committee we are still talking through them.”

Burleigh cricket club were also cleared of any wrong doing

“There wasn’t a complaint made against Burleigh at all in the end,” Guy said.

“We looked at the photo’s that were sent but they still managed to get on to play some cricket.”

‘Leaky covers’: Finals chances blown due to cricket covers

Cricket Gold Coast will be looking into two matches from the top two premier grades after both games had severe water damage to the pitches.

Queens sit fifth in premier first grade and Surfers Paradise hold the same spot in premier second grade.

But both teams had the opportunity to jump back into the top four if they had won their respective games.

Instead, they arrived at their grounds, with both pitches soaked in various areas.

Cricket Gold Coast secretary Michael Guy said the association will be looking into both games.

“Once we have looked at them both, spoken to all captains and officials, we will make a comment about mid week,” Guy said.

Rain had leaked through covers causing the match between Palm Beach and Queens to be abandoned. Picture: Supplied

Palm Beach hosted the clash against Queens, who before the end of round 16, were sitting second, now third due to the match being abandoned and the clubs agreeing to a draw.

Queens player-coach Harry Winton said it now leaves finals chances out of their hands.

“It is very disappointing to not get on and to play because it was such a big game for both clubs,” Winton said.

“They had the hessian on and the covers when we arrived, so they followed the right protocols.

“But when they pulled the covers back, it was evident that rain had got through.

“The deck was a bit greener than last week as well, but that does happen.

“But it did look really muddy from one end.”

The covers were pulled back around 12:30 due to rain continuing to fall Saturday morning.

The junior division one game was abandoned, which allowed the covers to stay on all morning.

The same happened at Burleigh in the second grade clash between Burleigh and Surfers Paradise.

No junior cricket was played in the morning but when players arrived, the pitch looked like it was pure mud.

Rain had leaked through covers causing the match between Palm Beach and Queens to be abandoned. Picture: Supplied

As the covers were pulled back, it was clear water had leaked through the covers onto the pitch.

The question was raised by both Surfers Paradise players and Queens players, should more be done beyond current rules and protocols to make sure pitches are weather-proof throughout the week?

“We had a couple situations this year where we didn’t get the covers on in time but still managed to get some game play in,” Winton said.

“Gold Coast Cricket is putting a lot of trust in clubs to make sure the pitches are prepared right, they are covered.

“I do think what is happening now is fine but you can get situations like this where water could have leaked under or something could have happened.”

Despite heavy wet patches, Surfers Paradise and Burleigh managed just 11.2 overs on Saturday.

Both teams appeared surprised by the official ruling when the pitch was checked upon his arrival at 11:30 – ‘let’s start at 12:15.’

Water had leaked through the damaged covers at Burleigh cricket club's home ground Liberty Finance Oval, leaving the pitch to be unplayable. Picture: Jake Garland

Louis Dean, who was not out from last week, faced up at the muddiest end of the pitch, copping blows to his ribs, elbow and a ball that bounced about a metre over his head from a good length.

You could see his confusion as he looked at the pitch and then the umpire but he wasn’t the only one.

Opening bowler Kris Vincent, at times looked confused himself as to how they were even allowed to play on such a pitch as he rolled his arm over.

Burleigh second grade players arrived early on Saturday and did their best to try and dry the pitch out, using blowers and sawdust to pull the moisture to the surface before rolling it again.

President Lachlan Pegler said it was credit to his second grade side to even get on.

“We got their early Saturday morning and saw how bad the pitch was and called off the junior game,” Pegler said.

“Then we handed it over to the second grade boys who tried to get a game on.

“Full credit to them, they were out there from about 7:30 in the morning trying to get that pitch right.

“Unfortunately they couldn’t get a full game in but I understand they got some cricket in which was a great effort by them.”

The Gold Coast Bulletin does not suggest protocols were not followed by Burleigh or Palm Beach.

Palm Beach were contacted for comment.

Originally published as Verdict handed down; Cricket Gold Coast reveal ‘wet pitch’ findings after ‘intense’ investigation