By DEAN LAWSON

A regional cricket leader has urged association and club representatives to consider ways to develop and promote the game based on potential summer sporting opportunities.

Cricket Victoria North and West Country manager Tony Caccaviello said cricket authorities, similar to other sporting codes, were following health department guidelines. 

But how well cricket responded to directions and recommendations in establishing playing conditions and circumstances was up to individual associations and clubs.

“Talking to a lot of people there appears to be a lot of forward thinking going on in regional cricket already and there is an anticipation for a season either getting underway or perhaps even starting earlier than usual,” he said.

“There is definitely an opportunity. Cricket appears in a relatively fortunate position and hopefully there are a lot of people, and a lot of energy, heading towards a season start.

“It will be the responsibility of associations to set their own rules and conditions. Cricket Victoria will release its policies and guidelines and my role will be to work with and encourage associations to follow these.”

Mr Caccaviello said considerable work had occurred behind the scenes between sporting codes and health authorities.

“Cricket Victoria will be directed by the health department,” he said. 

“Potentially, community cricket could be a winner, but on the other side of that, people might be looking to do something different on their weekends.
We don’t know how that will all play out. We want community sport to survive and do well and we want to be able to go ahead.”

Mr Caccaviello stressed a need for clubs to connect with players and volunteers to gauge what members wanted and to explore ways to stabilise and strengthen structures and directions.

“Many clubs are already reconnecting and starting those discussions, which is great,” he said.

“We’re all watching developments closely. My role is to work closely with associations – to make sure there is the environment there to allow cricket to be healthy and to thrive.”

Many traditional cricket practices, procedures and protocols are likely to change in a coronavirus environment.

Latest discussions, for example, have included banning saliva or sweat for use in maintaining cricket balls during games or training sessions.

Cricket competitions across the region have a history of structural change based on evolving demographics and swinging levels of participation interest.

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