Late season start breaks with tradition

Robbie Tallot will captain GBHS. File picture.

THE Poverty Bay Cricket Association has broken with tradition and will start a week later than usual.

“Normally we have our first games on the Sunday of the A and P Show weekend but this year we’re starting the following week, Saturday the 24th,” said Bay cricket development officer David McDonald.

“Even though we’re starting a week later than usual we’re condensing the season with double-headers in the Doleman Cup and DJ Barry competitions.

“Ideally the competitive part of the season is when the clubs have their university players available, which is between the last week in October and the last week in February.”

As well, the association was trialling a new format, McDonald said.

“We’re starting with a nine-a-side competition.

“With numbers traditionally short early in the season — we’ve also lost Ngatapa from last year — it means captains are looking for only nine players as opposed to 11.

“It’ll be 10 overs a team, which means shorter game time. Shorter game time is also what we’re looking at with the Doleman Cup being reduced from 40 overs to 35.

“Some cricket associations are still playing 50-over and 40-over games but with our limited senior playing numbers we have to do something to make the game more attractive.

“In hindsight, we probably should have gone to fewer-over games a few years ago. It’s all about reducing the time players are in the field.”

The teamsTeams competing in the nine-a-side competition are Kevin Hollis Glass Pirates, who are the Doleman Cup and DJ Barry Cup holders, High School Old Boys, OBR, Gisborne Boys’ High School, Horouta and Campion College.

For the 11-a-side game, the likelihood of injuries and players being unavailable meant it was advisable to have a squad of around 15 over the season, McDonald said.

As well as being cricket development officer, McDonald is also the coach of the Pioneer Seeds Poverty Bay team.

“We’ve lost our two openers — Jared (McDonald, David’s son) and Danny Gibbs,” he said.

“They’re both in England and are not expected to return this season.

“We’re not sure if Josh (Bates, Bay skipper) will be available. Josh is living in Mt Maunganui and hoping to break into the Northern Knights team. He’s also recovering from a leg fracture he got playing football.”

“We’ve still got the likes of Mitchell Turner, Jarrod Davenport, Jak Rowe and Robbie Tallott in the district.

“I believe Robbie will come of age for the rep side this season.

“We’re expecting Thomas Hayes, Robbie’s brother Sam and Thorn Parkes to be available, and we’re allowed three loan players.

“But it’s also an opportunity for some other local players to put their hands up.”