Cricket Albury-Wodonga makes wholesale changes to draw

In a huge shift from tradition, the association is keen to align itself more to a model adopted by Cricket Australia.

Only five two-day matches will be played.

“We have had a lot of people come back to us from clubs saying 10 games of cricket isn’t enough,” CAW chairman Michael Erdeljac said.

“They want more than 10 bats.

“We understand the future of cricket is changing and we are looking to change with it.

“All rep games are ODI or T20 now.

“We understand two-day cricket is senior grade cricket and we envisage having that but we are looking to play across the three formats that Cricket Australia also plays under.”

The provincial season will kick off on October 8 with the opening two Saturdays being Twenty20 rounds.

Last year’s provincial competition started with a one-dayer followed by nine two-day rounds.

While Twenty20 and one-day matches look set to be popular with younger players, a host of veterans have spoken out in recent years about the ramifications involved with ditching two-day games.

“We are playing 20 Saturdays of cricket again,” Erdeljac said.

“There will be no Sunday cricket.

“All points will be towards the one grand final in late March.”

In one of CAW’s tightest seasons this year, Belvoir bounced back from losing its first final to defeat rivals Wodonga in the decider at Wodonga’s Les Cheesley Oval.

Meanwhile, CAW will also overhaul its under-12 competition this season under a new Cricket NSW program.

Changes will also be made to the under-14s.

“I’m a big believer in this,” Erdeljac said.

“It makes sense.

“We are looking to shorten the wicket and lessen the fielders.

“There could be eight or 9 players in a side.

“There will be 45-metre boundaries and shorter 16-metre wickets.

“If you look at under-12 footy, do they play on a ground the size of the MCG?

“It’s a pilot program and we are first to run with it.”