A Shield in Winter

[swingdog]

Given that the Sheffield Shield is primarily a development competition and doesn't attract crowds, is there an argument for starting it much earlier in winter and running it at "neutral" venues in northern Australia? Could play at Cairns, Townsville, Darwin, Alice Springs and Broome.

Young players could get plenty of games under their belt from June through to end of August. Could either wrap up an entire Shield season then or have at least the first half done, with the rest down in the southern states from September to end of December.

Shield gets done and dusted in first half of season, plenty of first class form to choose from. Test series runs from November to January. BBL in the New Year. Pointless one-dayers in February.

Thoughts?

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

Not a fan of it personally, unless it was extending the Shield.
We need the Shield as lead in to Test series and during them, at least until late in the Test summer. Having Shield games later in the summer is also important to have preparation in First Class cricket for away tours. Thus summer is poorly scheduled, as the BBL is still on when the team flies to South Africa. Ideally there should be some recent FC form to pick touring squads from when there is a late summer or early autmun tour.
Personally I also think that having experience on the Test venues is an advantage. That said, the Shield should be talken to the regions more, but not the same visiting team twice in a row. In two full seasons, a player should be guaranteed of having played at all six Test venues. But two games a year outside the capitals could work, especially if played when not in competition with iternational games on TV.

The return of top end Tests in winter, and/or Australia "A" games could be of value though.

 

[bungwahl]

It's a great concept for extending the season. Our biggest scheduling issue in recent years is not the BBL - it's the lack of FC competition prior to the start of the home Tests in November. Starting the Shield in August in the northern states would be a great way to get some extra games in and potentially allow Test players to be included.

 

[The_Reaper]

Would rather run an A series during the winter.

Or top end series against Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Ireland etc

 

[swingdog]

Would rather run an A series during the winter.

Or top end series against Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Ireland etc

A series, maybe, but what do we get from tests against minnows apart from a boost for Shane Watson's average?

Winter shield would be about building the first class careers of our young players.

 

[The_Reaper]

A series, maybe, but what do we get from tests against minnows apart from a boost for Shane Watson's average?

Winter shield would be about building the first class careers of our young players.

Select a mostly A team. Get tests into Hazlewood and the like.

 

[swingdog]

Select a mostly A team. Get tests into Hazlewood and the like.

I like the idea though how you'd restructure the central contracts would be a nightmare for Cricket Australia.

The Winter Shield (am copyrighting this) would be highly competitive - the carrot is, play well, rack up the runs or wickets and a test spot could be yours come the summer.

I'd also make it run reasonably tightly, like the county system. Get overs and time at the crease into them.

 

[TassieEagle]

Select a mostly A team. Get tests into Hazlewood and the like.

YUCK! I would hate the test side to be used for trying out guys. I have no problem sending an A side but if we are playing test cricket the best available players must play, irrelevant of opposition.

 

[Torz]

Couldn't rain any more than it has in England.

 

[Cleavy]

Australia vs Australia 'A'. Bring it on!

 

[Zach Package]

Would rather run an A series during the winter.

Or top end series against Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Ireland etc

I'd like that. a test or two and 3 odi's against a minow would be great for the opposition as well as us imo.

But if we're doing aus A, let's not select most of the test setup. have it as a legitimate 2nd XI, or even put an age cap on it maybe

 

[PTizzle]

If we played an A side against Ireland or someone similar it'd count as an 'unofficial test' or an FC game right? I'd be all for that. Win-win situation.

I know a lot of people don't like watching the 'minnows' as the competition isn't as strong, but if they marketed it properly it would pay for itself I think. I'd definitely head down.

Starting the Shield a bit earlier is logical to get some form before the Summer series too. I wouldn't like the whole series in Winter, but the first third or so, sure.

 

[Outshined]

I'd be happy to see the Shield extended into the winter months. Key word being extended. If it was just a shift then there's not really much point, especially as we need what few players we typically have in form ready for the tests starting around November.

The WACA and Bellerive would still be available, there's Junction oval in Victoria and other regional venues as suggested too, so I can't see a problem with it scheduling wise. Obviously there'll be a few more games washed out (unless playing up north obviously), but the more first class cricket the better AFAIC.

 

[TassieEagle]

I'd be happy to see the Shield extended into the winter months. Key word being extended. If it was just a shift then there's not really much point, especially as we need what few players we typically have in form ready for the tests starting around November.

The WACA and Bellerive would still be available, there's Junction oval in Victoria and other regional venues as suggested too, so I can't see a problem with it scheduling wise. Obviously there'll be a few more games washed out (unless playing up north obviously), but the more first class cricket the better AFAIC.

Dunno about the WACA but Blundstone is definitely NOT available during Winter months as Footy takes priority with 2 (soon to be 3) AFL games as well as the home of a TSL side. Not to mention the pitches would be shite and would struggle to get 7 hours of light to play them in

 

[swingdog]

I think this really only works in northern Australia. Reckon you'd struggle to reach the boundary with any four hit along the ground at Blundstone during winter.

 

[Outshined]

Dunno about the WACA but Blundstone is definitely NOT available during Winter months as Footy takes priority with 2 (soon to be 3) AFL games as well as the home of a TSL side. Not to mention the pitches would be shite and would struggle to get 7 hours of light to play them in

Ahh shit, I forgot about the VFL. Sorry Tassy folk.

If anything it serves as a reminder that Tasmania should have an AFL team

 

[TassieEagle]

Ahh shit, I forgot about the VFL. Sorry Tassy folk.

If anything it serves as a reminder that Tasmania should have an AFL team

VFL - Nope, not that we don't have the Devils anymore. It is the home of Clarence in the TSL (Tasmanian State League or The ScottWade League) which is our version of the VFL. But I understand the sentiments and yes we should have a side!

 

[Matt121]

I would have a winter shield with Australia A, Ireland, Scotland and Afghanistan because it will improve on the minors

 

[The_Reaper]

I would have a winter shield with Australia A, Ireland, Scotland and Afghanistan because it will improve on the minors

I'd make it Australia A, Ireland and Zimbabwe.