Scrap ‘negative rule’
Stalwart calls for change
A former East Belmont coach and champion bowler has called on the Geelong Cricket Association to reassess its controversial new playing conditions, which allowed North Geelong to win its fifth consecutive flag with a draw in the GCA1 first grade grand final.
In a letter to the GCA, Peter Caulfield – a former Geelong representative coach and a follower of the association for more than 40 years – said the local rules needed to be reviewed before the start of the 2024-25 season.
The association introduced the new rules in a bid to create more interest in the two-day format.
In an email to clubs in August, 2022, GCA pennant chairman Sydney Sykstus said the existing playing conditions were a “glorified extension” of a one-day competition and the changes would “bring back the true meaning of a two-day match”.
“We understand the apprehension; we need to be brave and confident that the changes will get interest back into our two-day format,” Sykstus said.
Caulfield, who wrote to the association as a “disillusioned GCA follower” rather than a frustrated East Belmont supporter, has called on the GCA to scrap the new rule. A three-time premiership player who took more than 440 wickets, Caulfield said it had been disappointing to
“I believe (the rule change) has encouraged negative, unattractive cricket Peter Caulfield
watch a GCA1 first grade grand final where only one team was playing for a result.
He said GCA president Rob Vines shared his concerns during Country Week in early February.
As with East Belmont president Tom Scannell, who said the new rules were “not fit for purpose” in finals, Caulfield said he bore “no malice” towards the Magpies for simply playing by the rules.
He said the Magpies picked an extra batter for the decider, then won the toss and chose to bat on an excellent batting pitch, knowing they could draw the game to win their fifth consecutive flag.
It was also North Geelong’s fourth consecutive premiership win against the Lions.
In GCA2 first grade, St Peter’s won the premiership after also drawing the game against Torquay.
“Nobody could possibly argue that North had any intention of chasing down East’s score, with only a couple of their batsman playing in their usual attacking manner,” Caulfield
said. “I have built up a large circle of cricketing friends and acquaintances in the past 45 years in Geelong, including current players and administrators, and not one of them has indicated to me that they like – or agree with – this rule.
“In fact, it is quite the opposite.”
Caulfield said he was initially told the rule change was designed to encourage teams to get creative when capturing wickets and to change a perceived “containment mentality”.
“On grand final week I was informed that it also is designed to give teams something to play for in otherwise onesided games,” he said.
“I believe it has encouraged negative, unattractive cricket.
“Many people – not just East Belmont followers – have expressed their disgust with the new rule.
“Many watching at the ground were initially unaware of the new rule and several went home halfway through the final day’s play because of the uninteresting batting and the resultant draw.”
He said he believed the association had “underestimated the almost universal dislike” of the new rules and it should conduct a poll of all GCA clubs.
“I appreciate that you are continually looking at ways to improve and enhance all GCA competitions, but I believe this rule does neither and, in fact, has made the GCA look dictatorial and amateurish,” Caulfield said.
After being presented with Caulfield’s comments, Vines said the rule changes had been enforced “in an effort to provide a clearer point of difference” from the traditional extended limited-overs style of two-day cricket.
“There have been a range of opinions shared over the course of the season about the merits, benefits and success of the current playing conditions and formats across the entire GCA men’s competition, including the recent finals series,” Vines said.
He said club feedback was being sought as part of the association’s standard post-season consultation process.
“The intention is to communicate any refinements or changes to playing conditions and formats well before the commencement of the 2024/25 season,” Vines said.
“In a rapidly evolving community cricket landscape, the GCA board is well aware of the continuing need to provide a wide and diverse range of playing formats to maximise participation and playing opportunities for all standards of GCA cricket.”
Vines said also that there would be an announcement from the association regarding relegation and promotion “soon”.