Premier Cricket kicks off season tomorow with historic public holiday fixture

It will be the first time in 109 seasons that Victorian Premier Cricket has played a regular season match on a Friday.

Cricket Victoria Premier Cricket Strategy and Development Manager Mike Ronchi said the opportunity to play on a Friday represented an exciting start to the season.

“The feedback from players, coaches, officials, curators and ground management as to when the season should start was positive for the Friday suggestion and, once it was established that our umpiring department would not be undermanned, the matter was then decided by the CV Delegates.”

“It allows clubs, cricketers and volunteers to enjoy the festivities of grand final weekend without the stress of preparing for a full day’s play of cricket on the following day.”

In another historic event, Commonwealth Bank VicSpirit wicketkeeper Emma Inglis and Australian player Jess Cameron will line up for Prahran in the fourths.

This is the first time that a woman has played in the men’s competition since Cathryn Fitzpatrick represented Dandenong in 2006-07.

“It’s brilliant to see the Emma and Jess getting an opportunity to play in the men’s competition and we commend Prahran on their inclusive decision,” Ronchi said.

“Both are exceptionally skilled cricketers and both can be very proud to be selected on their own merits and ability and have no doubt that this will now pave the way for more of Victoria’s best women cricketers to gain the opportunity to further develop and test their game.”

The women’s Premier Firsts competition starts on October 10.

Men’s Premier Firsts fixture – All games Friday from 10am

Carlton v Ringwood at Princes Park # 1 Oval
Camberwell Magpies v Casey-South Melbourne at Camberwell Sports Ground
Geelong v Prahran at Geelong Cricket Ground
Dandenong v Kingston Hawthorn at Shepley Oval
Frankston Peninsula v Greenvale Kangaroos at AH Butler Oval
St Kilda v Fitzroy Doncaster at Junction Oval
Footscray Edgewater v Melbourne Uni at Mervyn G Hughes Oval
Melbourne v Monash Tigers at Albert Ground
Essendon v Northcote at Windy Hill