ACB decisions on ACT cricket

The Australian Cricket Board today announced that a request by the Australian Capital Territory Cricket Association (ACTCA) for a package of commitments for interstate and elite cricket in Canberra, including a permanent place for the Canberra Comets in the Mercantile Mutual Cup, had been rejected.

At the same time, the Board confirmed the ACTCA's role in developing players by agreeing to its continuation in the national Under 17, Under 19 and Second XI competitions and by confirming the place of its representatives on a number of ACB Committees.

Since being advised of the decisions, the ACTCA has continued to discuss and clarify the issues with the ACB and is currently reviewing its position.

At a Board meeting in Sydney last Friday, 10 March 2000, the ACTCA put a proposal to the ACB seeking the following commitments:

Short Term

• permanent status in the Mercantile Mutual Cup (conditional);
• permanent status in the ACB Cup Second XI competition (conditional);
• establishment of a fair, equitable and permanent funding arrangement from the ACB; and
• granting of the right to host a one-day international at Manuka Oval.

Long Term

• permanent entry into the Pura Milk Cup competition (conditional);
• granting of the right to host a Test match at Manuka Oval; and
• granting of observer status at ACB Board meetings, leading to full member status of the ACB.

These were not accepted by the ACB.