Not every idea found at the bottom of a schooner is a good one, but this one sure was.
It’s been fourteen years since John Trickett sat around the bar of the Dungowan Pub with a few mates, and the genesis of what the locals call “bush cricket” was born.
The eureka moment killed two birds with one stone; it gave local farmers a chance to take their mind off their daily grind for a few hours, but it also provided a community based competition for those who wanted a game on a more sociable level.
“It was in the middle of the drought, and we needed a place to get out and have a beer, kill a bit of time.” says the President and founding member.
“They (the farmers) picked the time because it suited them, so we kick off 30 overs a side at 1pm and are done by five.”
“It’s something for the guys who want a hit but are on the outskirts, and don’t want to fork out $350 a year in grade rego on top of traveling.”
It’s another option for keen cricketers who need to scratch the itch, but without the rigours of grade cricket traditionally involved; notwithstanding the lower grades playing exclusively one day cricket this season, one day matches can still stretch up to the 80 over mark if both teams exhaust their innings, something bush cricket circumvents with its own unique format.
The name bush cricket isn’t just a throwaway line either; the withdrawal of founding club Dungowan has been a downer, says Trickett, but there are currently nine sides competing, up from four since the inception who all lie on the outer reaches of the region.
Two Kingswood teams, Wooloomin, Nundle, Nemingha, Kootingal, Goonoo Goonoo, Moore Creek, and recently Manilla all currently battle it out.
“We maintain our own fields, it’s only $100 rego.”
In addition to the reduced overs, other rules include batsmen retiring at 30 (they can return later after everybody else), everyone bowling at least one over, and a general air of inclusivity:
“Last year we had a twelve year old and a ninety year old in the comp,” Trickett says, “The rules are great – it gets everyone involved and keeps it special when somebody has a day out. I think there’s only ever been one five wicket haul and two hundreds in the history of the comp.”
“It’s attracting the young girls and the ladies, people are engaging with the sport which is the most important thing.”
The alternate way to play has even caught the attention of the State’s governing administrator, Cricket New South Wales,
“We had them phoning in after a while saying ‘how are you guys still growing?’. Nobody gave us a chance when we started out.”
When quizzed on a bit of local folklore, Trickett laughs:
“Obviously it’s a lot more relaxed than your usual grade hit, so if people are enjoying the spirit of the game that’s the main thing.”
More information on Peel Valley Bush Cricket can be found here.
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