Cricket Victoria unveils jewel in crown at Junction Oval

This outstanding new Centre features new administrative headquarters for Cricket Victoria, the Melbourne Stars and the Melbourne Renegades, high performance facilities, an indoor centre as well as medical and rehabilitation areas for the state’s elite cricket teams.

The ground and complex can be used for cricket all-year round, with the field expected to host Sheffield Shield, Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL), WBBL and Premier Cricket.

The upgrade has also helped secure group games for the women’s ICC World T20, when the tournament comes to Australia for the first time in 2020.

Victorian Premier, the Hon. Daniel Andrews MP, said “We promised to build a new home for Victorian cricket at Junction Oval and we’ve delivered. We’re getting things done.”

“The new ground and community centre will provide world class facilities for our elite teams, right through to our grass roots.”

Cricket Victoria CEO Tony Dodemaide said today’s launch was a landmark moment in Victorian cricket.

“We are thrilled to be here and to have this spectacular centre as the flagship cricket facility in Australia right now,” Mr Dodemaide said.

“It has taken almost a decade of work to achieve our goal today and I would like to sincerely thank the Victorian Government, Cricket Australia, Cricket Victoria’s Board, General Manager of Cricket Operations Shaun Graf and all of our stakeholders who have helped us get to today. Projects of this scale do not happen without time and energy from so many people.”

“Our new venue is for everyone. It will service our elite players, our fans and the community at-large. We are dedicated to being a sport for all and this new building will help us deliver on that goal,” Mr Dodemaide added.

Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland said the Victorian Cricket & Community Centre will help set up Cricket in Victoria for decades to come.

“It is a key symbol of our national strategy to ensure that our players, volunteers and fans have access to the best quality facilities,” Mr Sutherland said.

“This will be a great asset for Australian cricket. Whilst the Oval will play host to many domestic and international cricket fixtures, including matches in the ICC Women’s World T20 in 2020, this facility is so much more than a cricket ground.”

“The Victorian Cricket & Community Centre is a state-of-the-art cricket facility without peer. We can only wish that every state and territory had a facility like this.”

Member for Albert Park, the Hon. Martin Foley MP said the facility was a game changer.

“Victorian Cricket finally has a dedicated home it can call its own. This new centre is a real game changer for local cricket clubs and provides players, volunteers and fans the facilities they deserve.”

The new Centre includes:
• 10 Lane Indoor Centre with full performance analysis technology
• Two outdoor practice wicket facilities comprising 56 wickets
• Medical and rehabilitation facilities including gym and indoor aquatic centre
• Function and event spaces
• Administrative base for Cricket Victoria, the Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades
• Refurbishment of the historic Blackie-Ironmonger Stand, including new change rooms for St Kilda Cricket Club and other community use
• Redeveloped and expanded Junction Oval playing surface to meet ICC requirements