Preview Rounds 1, 2 & 3

VB PREMIER CRICKET

We welcome VB as the naming rights sponsor of Victorian Premier Cricket. The Foster's Group and Carlton & United Breweries before it have been wonderful supporters of Victorian and Australian Cricket for many years and their ongoing commitment to cricket is very much appreciated by all participants. More

PREMIER PROGRAM

After last season's experiment with the groupings, 2007/08 will basically see a return to the more traditional format of one ladder and all clubs playing each other across the season. Some elements of last season, such as the one-day and two-day seasons separated into blocks, will remain. But other aspects, such as the different groupings, "too many ladders" and the end-of-season crossover matches, were clearly unpopular and have disappeared following an extensive Pennant Committee consultation process with all Premier Clubs.

Also missing from the Premier program for the first time in eighty years will be the one-day round on Melbourne Cup Day. Asked the question "Cup Day or an extra Sunday?", clubs voted unanimously for the latter.

CV CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES

Cricket Victoria made the most significant changes to its governance in its history during the off-season. Ratified by the CV Delegates at their July meeting, in summary:

The CV Board of Directors now comprises six elected members and up to three appointed members.
Unlike previously, Directors do not necessarily have to be delegates.
CV Directors will be elected for three-year rolling terms.
CV Representatives to Cricket Australia shall be appointed by the CV Directors.
There will no longer be the elected positions of Patron, President, Vice-President or Treasurer.
The CV Pennant Committee shall comprise five members (as previously), but they shall be elected for three year rolling terms at the March meeting of CV each year.
Appeals against Pennant Committee decisions shall be heard by an independent body, appointed by the CV Directors, known as the Pennant Committee Appeals Tribunal (PCAT). Previously such appeals were heard and considered at CV Delegates' meetings.

The changes were endorsed by the CV Delegates following a lengthy consultation and review process involving all key stakeholders.

CRICKET VICTORIA AGM

Twelve nominations were received for the six Directors' positions and, following a ballot, Earl Eddings, Ken Fewster, Mal Smith, Tony Steele, Geoff Tamblyn and Peter Warner were elected. The unsuccessful candidates were Ed Parker, Jim Higgs, Ross MacKenzie, Garry Sparke, Dean Jones and John Cassidy. More

FAREWELLS

In addition to the retirements of international legend Shane Warne and administrative legends Bob Merriman and Ken Jacobs, we also acknowledge and thank Premier Cricket retirees Rob Bartlett, Tim O'Sullivan, Ian Hewett, Tim Hooper, Shannon Waters, Graeme Rummans, Shawn Craig and Sean Pietersz for their respective contributions.

OBITUARIES

We also said farewell to former players in "Invincible" Bill Johnston, Dick Hassett and Jack Lowry, CV panel umpire Ken Brewer and great servants of cricket in Bill Smyth Sadly Bill only enjoyed his CV Life Membership for a brief period. He passed away on 16 September 2007, aged 91,Walter Jona AM, Ron Evans, Ken Collicoat and Rod Sinclair during the past few months.

Vale Bill Foley
It is with great sadness that we advise of the passing of Frankston Peninsula President Bill Foley, aged 72. Bill was on holiday in Turkey.

Bill had an extensive record of service to cricket. He was heavily involved with the Heat since their formation and elevation to VCA ranks together with Geelong in 1993. Inaugural vice president and CV Delegate for the Frankston Peninsula CC, Bill took over from Dennis Prendergast as President in 2000.

Bill was also a vice president of the Victorian Country Cricket League, former President of the Mornington Peninsula CA and VCCL Zone Delegate for that region between 1989 and 1993. He served his region, the VCCL, the Frankston Peninsula Cricket Club and Cricket Victoria with distinction in a lifetime dedicated to the game.

Cricket Victoria extends deepest sympathies to Bill's family.

Vale Geoff Morrow
Cricket Victoria was saddened to learn of the passing of popular umpire Geoff Morrow, who passed away peacefully on 27 September aged 55.

Geoff had the rare distinction of having officiated at national level in Australia's two biggest sports. The veteran decision maker sent fear through players in more than 200 Premier Cricket matches (plus another 50 odd at first-class/interstate standard) and 67 VFL/AFL games. In all senior officiating, Geoff umpired 662 football and 262 cricket matches.

From grass roots grounds to the MCG, he witnessed many battles on cricket and football fields. He fought his own battle with illness bravely and proved quite inspirational in doing so.

All at Cricket Victoria extend deepest sympathies to Robyn and the Morrow family. He will be sorely missed by the broader sporting community.

THE TIM O'SULLIVAN ERA

With Tim O ' Sullivan's retirement after the 2006/07 season, it is appropriate to acknowledge his remarkable contribution and outstanding achievements as skipper of St Kilda. More

THE CRICKET/FOOTBALL LINK

What do Premier cricketers do in the off-season? Heat skipper Luke Walker is an AFL goal umpire. Matches don't get any tighter than the St Kilda v Bulldogs clash at Telstra Dome late in the season. The Bulldogs hit the front and, with just seconds remaining, Gram bombed a spiral into the Saints' forward line and Reiwoldt took the mark. From just outside 50, the kick was touched on the line and the resultant point tied the scores up. Who was the goal umpire on the spot? Luke Walker can be seen in the pic signaling that all important point. More

PHOTO QUIZ

Who am I? More

CA U17 CHAMPIONSHIPS

January sees the Cricket Australia National Under 17 Championships held in Melbourne. The cream of the next generation of Australian talent will be on display at Premier grounds around Melbourne from 5 - 16 January 2008. In what will be a hectic month, January will also see the Commonwealth Bank Pathways Championships played at Under 18, Under 16 and Under 14 levels.

PREMIER COUNTRY ROUND

Clubs have already notified us of their proposed venues for the Country Round on 5 January next year and these are listed below. Horsham is the only venue not to have previously hosted one of these matches. More

MILESTONES

Round 1
Prahran's Bryce McGain will qualify for membership of the exclusive CV 200 Club in the match against the Saints. Bryce played 80 matches for the Heat (1993/94 - 1999/2000), 114 for Prahran and 5 first class matches for the Bushrangers. More

CLUBS

A snap shot of Premier Clubs for the season ahead More

DOWNLOADS

Leading Performers for 2006-07 (214.31 KB)	Memorable Matches (48.15 KB)
All-time Leading Performers (75.31 KB)	Looking Back (97.54 KB)