Sweeping changes for Tasmanian club cricket

Tasmania will introduce a new plan this summer to ensure the continued development of its club cricket.

The basis of a review undertaken by Tony Ibott of Wise, Lord and Fergusson was to check on the state of health of club cricket in Tasmania. It was designed to coincide with the review being undertaken across the board by Cricket Australia.

Among other aspects of the review were: addressing club concerns over the competition structure in view of societal trends; looking at ways of ensuring community involvement when there are so many competing activities; ensuring a career path to State play through a competitive club scene; and ensuring Tasmania was keeping up with cricket trends and to check on player migration from off-shore and internally.

As a result of the survey, changes for the new season in grade cricket will involve 14 weeks of play with limited overs matches played in all grades for the first time.

The Kookaburra Cup competition will be included in the first grade roster and points from matches will be included on the first grade ladder. Instead of a pennant committee over-seeing the club competition, a grade committee will take over with three members appointed of the Tasmanian Cricket Association board and two club nominations.

TCA chief executive David Johnston: "The report and the implementation of the recommendations will enhance TCA Grade cricket, give a clear direction and pathway for players and clubs alike and will ensure that the competition provides an opportunity for cricket to be fostered at all levels.

"The recommendations approved by the TCA Board, and supported by all grade clubs, will ensure that grade cricket keeps pace with the ever-changing nature of the sport."