Mercantile Mutual Cup & Pura Cup fixtures released

The Mercantile Mutual Cup will feature a full home and away program for the first time this summer.

And both the Mercantile Mutual Cup and the Pura Cup will not have reserve days for their finals during the coming season, it was announced today with the release of the domestic program for 2000/01.

The Mercantile Mutual Cup will now feature 31 matches including the final, which will be contested by the top two sides following a round-robin league format, like the Pura Cup.

The two sides that enjoyed success last season, the Western Warriors and the Queensland Bulls, both face tough opening encounters as they seek to defend their crowns.

The Warriors, who beat the Bulls in the Mercantile Mutual Cup final last February, start the defence of the title at home to the Redbacks in a day-night match at the WACA, one of eleven day-night fixtures in the competition scheduled for the new season.

The Bulls, meanwhile, open up their Pura Cup campaign with a home game against the Tasmanian Tigers at Allan Border Field, venue for last season's final against the Victorian Bushrangers.

Announcing the program, Australian Cricket Board Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Speed said: "The expansion of the Mercantile Mutual Cup allows spectators to see even more domestic one-day cricket at its best while at the same time giving players more opportunities to prepare for the step up to one-day international level.

"The first full season of the Pura Cup will once again see players looking for the runs, wickets and catches that will give them the chance to play for Australia.

"With both the Pura Cup and the Mercantile Mutual Cup up for grabs again this summer, the quest for success by everyone should be as intense as ever."

Details of prize money for both competitions and the televising of matches will be announced in due course.