MILLEWA Cricket Club president Scottie Clark said excitement is building as a new era of cricket begins at the Mildura Sporting Precinct grounds.
The venue will host its first cricket match for premiership points on Saturday as Millewa host reigning Red Cliffs Cricket Association premier Ouyen Rams.
The Bullants are making the ‘P their home deck for the final two rounds of the 2022 calendar year, and the first three matches of 2023, meaning all A grade sides will get to experience the playing surface.
Talks continue between Millewa and the South Mildura Sporting Club about a possible merger or extended partnership into the future.
Following an interrupted start to the season with a number of matches washed out, Clark said the club is keen to get out there on the playing surface.
“The wicket has come up better than what I thought it would when I last saw it a couple of weeks ago, ‘Aussie’ (Glen Cumming) and his team have done good job,” he said.
“We’re all pretty excited about it. I think this will be our fifth A Grade game when we should have had eight under our belt which has been frustrating. But we’re looking at getting some consistency now.
“We’ve got the next five games at the precinct and we’ll get to play everyone in A Grade there once, which should be great.”
Following their win of the season over Tempy Tigers last week, Clark said the mood has been buoyant leading into the game against the Rams.
“We got a win last week so everyone is up and about, it’s funny what a win can do!” he said.
“We had solid game against Tempy last week and now everyone is ready to go and keen to play at the Precinct.
“We played a T20 practice game (at MSP) and considering it was a new pitch it was a reasonably good batting surface, and with a dry outfield that runs downhill. I’m expecting there might be some runs available.”
Sunraysia Cricket Association clubs will get an opportunity to play at the ‘P in 2023, with Irymple hosting Mildura Settlers in First Division on January 7, and a number of Club T20 games also taking place in February.
