WORKERS Gol Gol will launch their Sunraysia Cricket Association season with a night game against Mildura Settlers at Alcheringa Oval on Saturday.
It will be the first time night cricket has been played at the venue and president Richard Tankard is hoping for a great turnout of fans.
“It is something different and we are expecting plenty of people to come and enjoy the great weather and some excellent cricket,” Tankard said.
“We will have a barbecue and refreshments available throughout the evening.”
Tankard said the new lights at Alcheringa Oval had been made possible through the work done by the football club and financial support provided by the Bendigo Bank and Wentworth Shire.
“To be honest the football club have done most of the work – they are a great footy club, Gol Gol, and they have done a lot to get the lights.” said Tankard.
“We have just been able to tap into their success, but we are looking to work together in the future.
“It is just great for cricket in general – just to add that other concept for everyone.
“It will be interesting to see the atmosphere there on Saturday – we are going to have plenty of hot food and a booth running.”
The match is scheduled to start at 4pm. All other SCA games start at 12.30pm.
Tankard said the format change was a welcome initiative and believed it would bring new life to the competition.
“It is a bit of a novelty for the Sunraysia region and I think all these changes Andrew (Farlie) and the SCA are making are great for cricket,” Tankard said.
“They are just moving with the times and they are having a crack that way and it has probably worked perfectly for us with a one-day match under lights – it is a great way to kick the season off.
“I think we can attract a really decent crowd down there (Alcheringa) on Saturday night and hopefully the community supports it and it takes off really well.”
Tankard believes the introduction of more 20/20 matches and one-day fixtures would help keep more junior players engaged.
“I think this has been needed for a while now,” Tankard said.
“It is hard, but we are probably lucky over in Gol Gol with the younger generation over there so our junior numbers have been great.
“But trying to maintain senior teams has been really hard.
“I just think this makes it that little bit more positive for everyone – the shorter format, the longer format.
“So there is basically all three grades of cricket in there – all three forms of cricket, which is a great concept for a home-and-away season.
“I think it is definitely the way of the future and I think they are looking ahead at that and maybe testing the water a bit this year and whether they change it again next season I’m not too sure, but I think they are going in the right direction.”
