T20 CRICKET:
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Sponsorship difficulties and lengthy delays looked to have spelled the end of a three-decade history in Gunnedah’s Reading Cup twilight series.
Fortunately the crisis has been averted with Gunnedah District Cricket Association (GDCA) president Mike Silver yesterday confirming the 2015 Gunnedah Premier League T20 Cricket Series for the Reading Cup will start Friday, February 6 at Kitchener Park.
The season’s series will be a condensed format and feature four sponsored sides supported by the Gunnedah grade clubs.
The teams for the 2015 series include Namoi Valley Motors Kookas, Lakeford Real Estate Stars, Tamba Industrial Porcupines and Slushie Trailer Dogs.
This season’s format will see three preliminary rounds with two matches played each Friday night followed by semi-finals involving all four sides on February 27 and the final scheduled for March 6. The preliminary rounds and semi-finals will start at 5.30pm under the lights at Kitchener Park.
“We are delighted to announce that the Reading Cup T20 series will be staged this season thanks to the four team sponsors and the grade clubs,” GDCA president Mike Silver said.
The twilight series for the Reading Cup has been staged annually, in various formats, for the last 30 years.
“It would have been most disappointing if it was not held this summer."
- GDCA president on Gunnedah's T20 cricket competition
“It would have been most disappointing if it was not held this summer,” Silver said.
“Difficulties in securing a naming rights sponsor has resulted in a delay in the series proceeding and has led to the condensed format.
“I thank the four companies for their involvement with the teams and look forward to working with them in the promotion of the series.”
The new format, he added, will make for exciting cricket with all sides in the running to claim the cup at the semi-final stage but having to win the preliminary matches to secure a preferred position in the semis.
Apart from the spectacle under the lights and the electronic scoreboard keeping spectators up to speed with events on the field, the bails for the matches this year will be the zinger style, that light up when dislodged.
“It all adds to the hype and excitement that is Twenty-20 cricket – batsmen and the patrons watching will clearly know when a batsman has been bowled,” Silver said.
Teams for the series will be drawn from and selected by the grade clubs with each side containing up to six first grade players.
“This will ensure that all grade players have the opportunity to play in the series while also ensuring that our top players have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills.”
It promises as always to be an exciting series for players and fans. What better way to spend a Friday evening than at Kitchener Park watching the Gunnedah Premier League cricket.
As in previous years the Gunnedah Junior Cricket Association will provide a canteen with a variety of food and drinks. As well the Slushie Trailer will be present and bar facilities will be available for patrons.
Ground entry will be by a gold coin donation which will support the McGrath Foundation, the principle charity of Cricket Australia.
On finals night, the McGrath Foundation Pink Stumps Night celebrity match will be played as a curtain raiser to the Reading Cup T20 final.