The Futures League

Futures League to determine future of pink ball

The much talked about Test cricket pink ball will be trialled during the day-night Futures League match at Adelaide Oval 2-4 February. 

The purpose of the trial is to test, under match conditions, the visibility of the coloured ball by players and spectators under day and artificial light, and also to monitor the discoloration of the balls throughout the innings.

“Cricket Australia is committed to finding a way to make day-night Test cricket a reality and the Adelaide Oval trial is one of many steps that need to be taken before this vision is realised," said Cricket Australia CEO, James Sutherland.

“The results of the trial won’t provide all the answers or a definitive outcome, but it will give us important information and feedback on the delivery of the project.”

Futures League, South Australia v Western Australia
Adelaide Oval, 2-4 February 2010

8.Cullen Bailey
4.Alex Carey
3.Michael Cranmer
9.Dan Cullen
2.Ben Dougall
11.Bradley Evans
6.Joel Garrett
5.Tom Moffatt
12.Elliot Opie
7.Kane Richardson
1.James Smith
10.Allan Wise 

WA wins inaugural Futures League Twenty20 title after final washed out

The inaugural Futures League Twenty20 tournament came to a close in Melbourne today as Western Australia accepted the trophy in the pavilion at St Kilda Cricket Ground as heavy rain fell outside, denying Tasmania a shot at the title.

Not a ball was bowled in the final between the young Warriors and Tigers, scheduled to start at 2:45pm, as rain fell from around 1:30pm and rarely stopped as the match was abandoned at around 4pm local time.

As Western Australia topped their pool and finished with more points than Tasmania, they were declared the winner, while Warriors all-rounder Nathan Coulter-Nile was presented with the Player of the Tournament trophy by Centre of Excellence head coach and former Australian captain Greg Chappell.

The scheduled fifth-place playoff between South Australia and Victoria (2:15pm start) across the raod at Harry Trott Oval was also abandoned.

Meanwhile, the rain stayed away long enough in the morning session for Queensland to defeat ACT by 9 runs to claim third (ACT fourth) and the Centre of Excellence to beat New South Wales by four wickets to finish seventh (NSW eighth).

2009-10 Futures League Twenty20

Winner: Western Australia
Player of the Tournament: Nathan Coulter-Nile (WA)

NSW v SA - Futures League - Oct 27-29, Blacktown, NSW

The SACA today announced the South Australia Futures League team to play NSW in Sydney from October 27-29.

The team has six changes from the one that recently played Victoria in Adelaide. Coming into the side is talented left handed opening batsman Ben Dougall, fresh from the recent Under 19 Australian series against Sri Lanka. Redbacks rookie-listed player Michael Cranmer returns to state representative cricket following a recent shoulder injury.

Spinners Dan Cullen and Sam McNeill will share the spin bowling duties and fast bowlers Joel Davies and Matthew Weeks come into the side to provide pace bowling options

Selected team

Ben Dougall
Sam McNeil
Cameron Borgas
Michael Cranmer
Cameron Francis
Joel Garrett
Tim Ludeman
Dan Cullen
Kane Richardson
Bradley Evans
Joel Davies
Matthew Weeks

In: Dougall, McNeil, Weeks, Cranmer, Cullen, Davies. Out: James Smith (Redbacks), Tom Cooper (Redbacks), Isaiah Borgas, Allan Wise, Jeremy Allison, Cullen Bailey

South Australia v Tasmania - Day 3 (update at tea)

Smith was dismissed just before lunch on day 3 for 173 scored off 206 balls. His included 25 fours and 1 six. Cooper continued his domination after lunch eventually being dismissed for 221. His double century included 24 boundaries and one six.

At tea Victoria at 1/69 requiring a further 228 runs off 32 overs.  

South Australia v Tasmania - Day 1

run rate until Richardson was dismissed holing out to long on for 33 off the bowling of Clive Rose. Garrett was the last man dismissed, run out for an impressive 71. Steven Gilmour was the best of the bowlers for Victoria claiming 3/46.

In reply Victoria finished day 1 without loss for 111 with Lloyd Mash undefeated on 60.

Kane Richardson and Garrett continued to push the run rate until Richardson was dismissed holing out to long on for 33 off the bowling of Clive Rose. Garrett was the last man dismissed, run out for an impressive 71. Steven Gilmour was the best of the bowlers for Victoria claiming 3/46.

In reply Victoria finished day 1 without loss for 111 with Lloyd Mash undefeated on 60.

Innovative new Futures League ready for 2009-10

Some fresh innovations to the playing conditions are the feature of the new-look Futures League competition. The Futures League and Futures League Twenty20 will replace the competition formerly known as the CA Cup from the 2009-10 season onwards.

The recommendation to revitalise the second tier competition comes via a High Performance Pathway Review and is aimed at increasing opportunities for Rookie and emerging players in a competitive format. The Leagues are also positioned to create additional benefits to Australian cricket, enhancing the profiles of Australia’s best young talent and increasing cricket’s appeal as the ‘sport of choice’ for young athletes.

It is anticipated that the Futures League will strengthen development opportunities for emerging cricketers, coaches and umpires and the competition has specifically been scheduled ahead of the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash so that everyone can get a good look at the talent coming through.

Each team will be allowed just three players over the age of 23 in their starting line-up and with eight points on offer for an outright result it also aims to reward positive and attacking cricket.

The three-day competition will follow the traditional two innings per team model, however each side will be allowed a maximum 144 overs only and will be restricted to 96 overs in the first innings to encourage aggressive declarations and innovative tactics.

Teams will not be allowed to take a second new ball in any innings, encouraging captains to look to spinners – who will gather bonus points for their team with every wicket taken – and reverse swing specialists.
The Futures League gets underway on Tuesday and a full season schedule is attached. The Futures League Twenty20 will be played in Melbourne from 14-17 December.

Futures League playing conditions

• Three ‘over-age’ players permitted per team
• Two innings per team with 144 overs per team maximum (restricted to 96 over limit in first innings) across three days.
• Overs not used in first innings by each team are carried over to second innings
• No second new ball
• Bonus points for spin wickets (0.10 points per wicket)
• Increased reward for outright result (Eight points for an outright result, as opposed to six last year)
• Use of Test level cricket balls – Dukes (England), SG (India), Kookaburra (Australia)

South Australia’s Futures League squad

South Australia currently has nine Redback players who quality for the competition, with the list being supplemented with selections from other squads when required.

Tom Brinsley
Alex Carey
Michael Cranmer
Cameron Francis
Tim Ludeman
Peter George
Tom Cooper
Kane Richardson
James Smith

Future Leagues local fixtures guide 2009-10

6-8 Oct 2009 SA v Vic Park 25, 10.30am
27-29 Oct 2009 NSW v SA Blacktown, 10:30am
19-21 Jan 2010 ACT v SA Manuka Oval, 10:30am
2-4 Feb 2010 SA v WA Adelaide Oval, 10.30am
16-18 Feb 2010 QLD v SA Allan Border Field, 10:30am
2-4 Mar 2010 SA v Tas St Peter’s College, 10.30am