BALLARAT Cricket Association president Rob Florence is spearheading a proposal to change the playing conditions at Melbourne Country Week.
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Florence, who has just completed his first season in the top job, hopes the Victorian Country Cricket League will look at adopting one-day international rules for its annual carnival.
Under the proposal, matches would finish once a first innings result was complete, include a net run-rate system for percentage and utilise
the Duckworth-Lewis method for rain-affected fixtures.
The current system sees one-day matches played in their entirety, with a second innings available and bonus points accumulated for wickets and runs.
The BCA’s past two Melbourne Country Week campaigns have been thwarted by rain, including a heartbreaking loss in February’s division two final against Warrnambool when it looked set for victory.
Had the Duckworth-Lewis method been used, the BCA would have won the clash, however, the draw meant Warrnambool was promoted to the provincial division as a result of finishing higher on the ladder through the preliminary rounds.
“In terms of the effort put forward to get a successful team, we are comfortable we had a successful team, but just didn’t reap the rewards,” Florence said.
“Actually 91 overs were played in that game but there was no result and that’s not heard of in other competitions. That’s not the way they operate.”
Florence said the BCA was also likely to seek feedback and support for a change in the rules from other rival associations.
The BCA board met for its first monthly meeting post the 2014-15 season on Tuesday night, where a range of topics were discussed, including a post-season review.
“I brought it forward close to the end of the season so we can have a quick review of that and express to everybody what we need to be doing in the off-season,” Florence said.