2003-04 Pura Cup and ING Cup fixtures released

The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) today released the official programs for the 2003-04 domestic Pura Cup and ING Cup competitions.

In a new-look schedule, the Pura Cup fixture is split into 10 distinct rounds of competition from November to March. The domestic fixture also sees the first-class and limited-overs competitions programmed in a blocked format.

Travelling teams will play Pura Cup and ING Cup fixtures on the one interstate journey, with games scheduled consecutively and rest days included between matches.

The 2003-04 domestic season begins on 24 October, when the Western Warriors - finalists in this year's ING Cup competition - host the Southern Redbacks in Perth.

The Pura Cup starts with the Queensland Bulls - runners-up in this year's first-class competition - hosting the third-placed Victorian Bushrangers in Brisbane from 2 November.

Round one of the Pura Cup also sees the Tasmanian Tigers take on the Southern Redbacks at home, while the New South Wales Blues begin their pursuit of back-to-back Pura Cup titles when they host the Western Warriors in Sydney from 4 November.

The ING Cup program includes 11 day-night fixtures and 13 matches that will be televised live by the Nine Network, including the competition final on 29 February 2004 - one week earlier than this season's ING Cup final.

ACB Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said the domestic competitions were an important part of developing Australian cricketers around the country.

"The Pura Cup and ING Cup competitions are extremely strong and perhaps showcase one of the highest standards of play at this level in the world," said Mr Sutherland.

"The new blocked format is a sensible approach to domestic programming as it helps teams in their travel and preparation for interstate matches, and extends the rivalry between teams in both forms of the game."