Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland emphasised the pivotal role the Pura Cup and ING Cup competitions play in keeping the Australian men’s team at the top of the international arena at the launch of the 2004-05 season, which took place at North Sydney Oval today.
“We’re very proud of Australia’s position on the international stage, however, it would not be possible if we didn’t have a strong domestic competition underpinning our national team,” said Mr Sutherland.
“The Pura Cup and ING Cup are recognised as the world’s leading domestic competitions, and we do not take this position for granted. The cricket being played in each competition is tough and uncompromising but also highly-entertaining,” he said.
“We are committed to ensuring that these competitions remain a strong breeding ground for our international team, and are very grateful for the continued support of ING and National Foods whose sponsorship of cricket helps us not only produce world-class cricketers, but enables us to take the game to many communities throughout Australia.
“We’re very excited to announce that venues such as Newcastle, Bankstown, Ballarat, Canberra, Launceston and Devonport will host some of our fixtures this season, as well as the major stadiums in each capital city.
“This will give many Australians the opportunity to watch some of the best cricket in the world fought out right on their doorstep,” said Mr Sutherland.
Several popular match conditions returning for the ING Cup matches include the Fastest Fifty competition, and the Hit the Sign competition.
The conditions for the ING Hit the Sign competition have changed for the 2004-05 season, with batsmen who hit the sign winning $50,000 for televised matches, and $10,000 for non-televised matches.
In order to give each team five matches where they have the opportunity to win $50,000 for hitting the sign, the ING sign will be worth $50,000 for three non-televised games (Retravision Warriors v Queensland Bulls – Friday 19 November, Tasmanian Tigers v West End Redbacks – Sunday 21 November, and Queensland Bulls v Retravision Warriors – Friday 11 February).
The Spirit of Cricket Award will also return for the each competition, following its inaugural season last year, and Mr Sutherland said that it was encouraging to see how well the project was taken up by cricketers at all levels last season.
“We were very happy with how well the Spirit of Cricket project was received in its inaugural year. It is important that cricketers right from the grass roots to the elite level remember that the way the game is played is just as important as the laws that govern it,” said Mr Sutherland.
The Benaud Spirit of Cricket Award was won by South Australia last year, and rewards teams that display the true spirit and traditional values associated with cricket.
Mr Sutherland said that Cricket Australia’s new advertising campaign (that was screened at the launch for the first time) would be used extensively to promote each of the domestic competitions.
“The Long Live Cricket campaign highlights how cricket is such an important part of Australia’s culture, and one of the key aspects of Australia’s cricket structure is the ING Cup and Pura Cup competitions,” said Mr Sutherland.
“Australian fans will be able to see the new advertisements in print, radio and television outlets in the build up to Pura Cup and ING Cup matches,” he said.
