Grade cricket to play crucial role in pursuit for state selection with no Futures League in 2020-21
Cricket Tasmania chief executive Dominic Baker has told a new sports podcast the importance of the CTPL competition this summer has never been greater due to COVID-19 cutbacks
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CRICKET Tasmania chief Dom Baker has declared the CTPL has “never been more important” this summer as a stepping stone to potential higher honours.
With Cricket Australia scrapping the Futures League to save costs in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, Tasmania’s premier grade cricket competition will be the highest level aspiring Tigers have to stake their claims for selection.
Speaking on new podcast Tassie Sport Lounge, Baker said as soon the decision was made by CA to not proceed with the Futures League, CT ensured funding to the state’s local competition was preserved.
The 2020-21 season kicks off this weekend, with several Victorian players relocating south as Melbourne’s premier cricket roster remains in limbo.
“Very early in the piece when we were going through the cost cutting exercises with Cricket Australia, it looked like the second XI was going to be an early casualty,” Baker said.
“We started some work when we were doing our own redesign on making sure we preserved the funding to grade cricket because it looked like we were going to be relying on it a lot.
“It has never been so important for our grade cricketers to make runs and take wickets because they will get opportunities.
“That is the only other way we are going to get a look at them.”
Baker, who joins Lauderdale coach Darren Winter and Netball Tasmania chief Aaron Pidgeon on Tassie Sport Lounge, said he has been impressed by NSW recruit Tim Ward during the pre-season, while 15-year-old Amy Smith “looks like she is going to walk out there and play” for the women’s program.
Episode two of Tassie Sport Lounge, featuring radio host Dave Noonan and Tasmanian Hospitality Association chief executive Steve Old, can be downloaded from iTunes, Spotify and Acast.
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