Premier Cricket return dates confirmed

The Women’s Premier Cricket Competition will begin on Sunday 22 November and the Men’s Premier Cricket Competition will begin on Saturday 28 November.

Women’s Premier Cricket 1st and 2nd XI will remain a 14-round competition followed by finals. The newly developed 3rd XI competition will be a 10-round competition, with a longer break over the Christmas period and an earlier season finish.

The Men’s Premier Cricket competition will be a 17-round competition for 1st and 2nd XI teams.

The 3rd and 4th XI competitions will be 16-rounds and will not play on Australia Day. The reduction of one round avoids concurrent fixtures with Under 18 Female Premier matches on Australia Day and manages player workloads in Under 16 Male Premier matches to be held the following day.

These new dates also allow clubs to respond to challenges for players, support staff and administrators arising from the existing 25km travel radius restrictions and Melbourne’s metropolitan/regional ‘ring of steel’ border.

Further to that, revised dates will allow clubs and local government authorities additional time to manage the preparation of centre wickets and allow for any impacts from inclement weather.

Cricket Victoria CEO Andrew Ingleton said today’s news was another positive step forward.

“It’s fantastic that we can now look forward to a COVID-safe Premier Cricket season beginning later in November. I’d like to thank all our stakeholders who have worked so constructively with us in very challenging circumstances. I believe we’ve reached a fair outcome that will allow us to play as much cricket as possible while accommodating the obvious impacts arising from this year,” Ingleton said.

“I encourage everyone involved in Premier Cricket to support our health protocols which will give us the best chance of completing a successful season.”

Cricket Victoria’s Competitions Manager Darren Anderson thanked clubs for their patience.

“The Premier Cricket season already has, and will continue to require, flexibility from all clubs and players as we navigate through a COVID-19 environment during the season. We will continue to work closely with stakeholders across the Victorian cricket community to ensure we reach the best solutions we possibly can in dynamic circumstances,” Anderson said.