The bright colours will be gone next week from the Australian state scene, with the domestic one-day cricket and first-class competitions kicking off after the end of the Big Bash League.
Even with the quality of cricket on show for the better part of six weeks, it will be a welcome switch for a lot of the traditional cricket fans out there.
State cricket is by no means decreasing in popularity, and seriously needs to be the platform from where the next generation of cricketers are selected.
Now, I have no real problems with the Big Bash. It’s fun, allows a whole heap of players to get a taste of top level cricket, and can draw some big crowds and new faces.
The one thing I have against the competition is the valuable time that it chews up, when we could be watching the cream of the crop of state players possibly vying for a national spot.
The Big Bash does help in identifying potential long-term players; it does not, however, provide a definitive platform from which justifiable national selections can be made.
Whereas with the other forms of domestic cricket, particularly Shield cricket, the crowds may also seem small, and the days and afternoons long, but the quality on display is second to none.
If there is an advantage that state (instead of city based) cricket holds, it’s the pull of the fans.
Even though the crowds are smaller, there seems to be a much bigger attraction to all the nuances and goings on of the teams.
And if you go to one of the matches, you will understand what I am saying.
With our national side seemingly under performing, now more than ever, we need to be bringing these players through so they gain experience for the top level.
I’m currently liking the looks of Nathan Coulter-Nile, Alister McDermott and James Faulkner in the bowling area, while Nic Maddinson and Chris Lynn are starting to show their prowess.
They all need more of a build-up before being thrust into the Australian side (and this is ideal preparation), but unfortunately, the Australian team run of injuries is starting to send massive alarm bells into the state arena.
Now, these aforementioned players will have their opportunity in Australian colours, and soon. However, their preparation is going to be rushed. Which leads me back to why state cricket is such a vital part of the core in the Australian cricket scene.
The Big Bash is not just all colour and show. It has a brand of cricket that has brought new fans and created another strong following this summer.
Ultimately, though, it is hurting the scheduling of the one and four-day formats, and in the long run, I fear this could be detrimental to the potential players of the future.
I will be welcoming the blue of Victoria back onto the MCG in the coming weeks.
Timmuh
Roar Guru
I disagree with your key supposition here. I would suggest people are going to T20 because of the format, not because it is city based. People went to state based T20 before the city structure was put in place. The people who now define themselves as Stars or Renegades were mostly Bushrangers before that. The opportunity to introduce the T20 generation to their state sides has been lost, partly to gain more TV money through having a second team in major markets and partly so players aren't bound to state contracts based on their first class credentials in the potentially lucrative T20 circuit. 50 over cricket at state level was already in decline, state level T20 had already overtaken it in terms of attendance. That T20 circus has since had more money pumped into the maketing, and has more games, making it a little bigger than oit was as state T20. The Sheffeild Shield, much like Test cricket, is the odd one out in that people still want to know about. People still want the scores, they want to know who is performing; they just don't make time to watch for seven hours. The domestic ListA competition is no longer a money maker, but is now more like the Shield - except less important. Its purpose is to produce players for the national limited overs side. In many ways I wish T20 had remained state based, and that link to the state teams retained to build awareness (if not attendance) of the state teams - but the commercial reality and player benefits over-rode those matters. There is little commercial benefit in the 50 over or 4 day competitions, but the Shield is most important of all in cricketing, as opposed to finance, terms.
dexx
Guest
thats fair enough then ")
DavisCup229
Roar Rookie
I'd just like to point out that I am a massive BBL fan and the way it has been run is fantastic, possibly even better than state v state. I am saying that I'd love to see that back, but city v city is starting to take hold. I'm not trying to advocate that state v state come back; I'm just saying that on the overall the state competition is a better indication of who we might see next.
dexx
Guest
The city based names of teams targets the populations and fans that are actually supporting that team and turning up for games. I would think that relates far more to people than just the state as a whole. For example, many Perth people have never traveled past joondalup (northern suburb of Perth), I imagine that's the case in many of our cities.
DavisCup229
Roar Rookie
I'm not suggesting that we say every time 'here, I've got a baggy green or one day cap for you.' What I'd really like to see is the state v state type of comp built on, That being said, I'm a big BBL fan, and have enjoyed it this season, even though there have been a few controversies.
Johnno
Guest
build the base. Expansion not Consolidation. You expand, set up pathways in the area and expand, crowds, tv ratings, new demographics, Short term dilution for long term expansion and wider amount of talent. AFL struggled in Brisbane, Sydney. Now both those teams have won around 5 premierships between them in the last 30 years, and big markets the AFL now has a footing in. GWS will take time too, but it will expand i think . Short time dilution, equals long term rewards. Stagnation just reduces your market share and pie, long term and makes you smaller and less talent.
Felix
Guest
A fair point, but I see that as diluting the representative scene. So you play ODD for North Sydney then your next stop is international ODI's? I fear that would lead to too many teams of poor quality. See Sydney Thunder. As for the record, I'm a QLD Bulls fan, nothing better than seeing those who played cricket outside metro areas getting a run in the state team.
Johnno
Guest
A good article but some points , and some of your liens int he article "If there is an advantage that state (instead of city based) cricket holds, it’s the pull of the fans ." So are there all these state cricket fans, for the sheffeild shield or the NSW Waratahs rugby team who have had a major decline in crowds over gradually over the last 10 years. -So the tradition argument is dead, when there is no such thing or only an extremely tiny minority of state cricket fans in 1st class or one day cricket. Ask your self in a population of 4.5 million people in Sydney, or in 4.2 million Melbourne, how many are actual state cricket fans. But a lot of AFL and NRL fans in that lot, and more and more BBL and A-league fans emerging in these markets and cities. Felate to there club, suburb, region, or country, not so much along state lines anymore. A state is too big an area to cover, not enough people can relate to it. State of origin is an exception, and that is only played 3 matches a year anyway. And I would say i have never met such a person as a state cricket fan in other first class sheffield shield cricket, or in one day state cricket. But I have met a few Melbourne stars fans, or Brisbane heat fans. The T20, big bash grand final is on tonight and a big crowd will be on in Perth, and they are cheering for the Perth scorchers not the WA state team. The Waratahs and the QLD reds are the only 2 super rugby teams out of 15 left, that still use there provincial name. Melbourne Rebels are Melbourne Rebels, not the Victoria rebels. I would prefer one day cricket move to city lines. The sheffield shield can stay as it is, as I doubt a first class city based 4-day cricket matches, would sell either. And I'd much prefer a one day match being headlined as "Brisbane Heat VS Perth scorchers." 'Than NSW VS Victoria one day match." Or a local derby North Sydney VS West Sydney at North sydney oval, than the "NSW Speed Blitz Blues" VS the South Australia redbacks. City and area or regional areas as my example above, and the BBL, give rise to far more flexibility for expansion not just consolidation, which can only be good for cricket.