Vics claim points, SCG stripped of games

It is a shame Heazlett's performance went so under reported, courier mail couldn't even bother online. He was immense for his first game against a quality attack at their home ground. It was a great win by the boys.

Thanks Andy. That Tas attack wasn't shabby either - Bird, Fekete, Hilfenhaus, Faulkner, Doherty. And for that matter another very young bloke (Doran?) got runs for Tasmania as well, in the second innings when no-one else did. Really interesting to see if the likes of Dean, Heazlitt, Head et al go on with it.

Well said John. What a cracking finish to the two other shield games. Well done to the Queenslanders. That team on paper looks like one of the weakest you have put out for a long time, but the 20 year old Heazlett stood up and made the runs you needed. Will be following that kid closely over the season. Shame the Vics and Travis Dean didn't get a chance to smash NSW, as I am sure they would have.

My issue is not about who gets the points, it may well have been Victoria. I know it's in the rules, but IMO the rules are wrong. Lets not flog a dead horse, just hope it doesn't happen again - but it will, probably in the Final.

Ok then, well there are two respones to that. 1. As harsh as it sounds - get a better drainage system. and/or 2. Did New South Wales actually declare and force the issue? Or merely suggest they would? This option could probably have been explored more thoroughly - you have a point there.

It was the outfield Einstein, not the pitch - because it rained for a week solid be fore the game. No different to a washout. NSW offered to declare at 1-88 and go in the field.

What a shame that 2 other excellent Shield games, with very good performances by young players in narrow last session wins for their teams, get completely ignored in favour of this shambles.

The shield team represents NSW. It is NSW's responsibility to prepare a FC standard pitch. You seem to be saying it is the equal responsibility of both states - New South Wales and Victoria - to prepare a ready to play FC pitch in New South Wales! How on Earth is it Victoria's responsibility to do that? Else why would you punish Victoria by not allowing them to play for maximum points? New South Wales have only themselves to blame. You also seem to think the New South Wales players and team is somehow divorced and not a part of the New South Wales State association? Which is just bizarre. In terms of Test teams, if the venue is unplayable believe me the responsible cricketing association will be rightly fined and reprimanded in whatever manner is appropriate, perhaps including forfeiture of the Test. If it's playable (and biased) so what? It's still playable.

What a load of gibber. We have no way of knowing who would win. Test teams can prepare goat tracks, yet a shield team is punished for something out of their control. Maybe Victoria should be given the bonus points that they didn't get as well. Lets award them the shield now, as this game must have destroyed their preparation for the next games.

It is part of the rules. If NSW is incapable of producing FC standard conditions they deserve everything they get. No amount of bleating on from Haddin is going to change that.

It's the responsibility of New South Wales to get the pitch right - of course the match should be forfeited and awarded to Victoria. To say the players are not to blame completely misses the point. The players don't represent themselves - they represent New South Wales. They are a part of the New South Wales set up that is supposed to present a playable pitch. If that can't happen New South Wales and all that represent New South Wales must be rightfully penalised. It would be completely ludicrous to declare the match a draw and there punish Victoria in the process. Punish Victoria for what exactly since that is what you are arguing lazy Phoenix.

What a disgrace, and a really dangerous precedent

Absurd and unfair decision to award the points to Victoria. Should have been a draw. It was not the fault of the NSW team or the SCG curators that it poured with rain virtually non-stop for a week before the match.

"The report in Fairfax media states the remainder of the Blues home matches scheduled for the ground will also be moved to Bankstown Oval" That's not quite true as I understand it. They've talked about moving the next game only.

so will they move the Test Match to ANZ Stadium?