BCA president Rob Florence said the association was keen to build on the success of this season’s Twenty20 tournament and the growing popularity of the game’s shortened format.

Strategic planning work was under way with ideas to improve the competition format while this season’s completed Cup showdowns were still fresh.

“The important thing was that we were encouraged by the support for the competition from most clubs,” Florence said.

“We want the competition to benefit the community, considering spectators with the shorter format of the game.”

This is the second season the BCA Cup fixture was on Sundays. The past three weeks has featured four pool matches on two days and last week’s semi-finals and final, moving away from mid-week twilight matches.

The association introduced batting and bowling monetary prizes this season and competing club and district teams were mixed together in a super league ladder to determine finalists.

Ballan was the only district team to stake a spot in the finals and almost pulled off a fairytale run after claiming a semi-final victory against an undefeated Ballarat-Redan to reach the title match.

However, Golden Point won its maiden Twenty20 Cup.

Navy Blues captain Mick Nolan told The Courier post-match that no one had expected his team to even make finals and it was a great experience for his players to play against more powerful club teams.

Marquee players were again a popular inclusion.

Most were sourced from Victorian Premier Cricket, some with international experience.

Florence said the decorated inclusions added excitement to matches and BCA players enjoyed a chance to step out alongside them.

In the meantime, Golden Point and Ballan can now prepare to take their Twenty20 games to the next level in the Central Highlands regional Cricket Willow Cup.

melanie.whelan@fairfaxmedia.com.au