‘No lights, no T20’, says CA

Andrew Mathieson
A LACK of floodlights has cost Geelong its bid for one of two Victorian Big Bash Twenty20 cricket franchises, according to officials.
The sport’s national board favoured basing a second Melbourne team at Docklands over Geelong’s Skilled Stadium during a meeting this week.
But Cricket Australia still praised Geelong’s “outstanding” submission, saying the strength of the city’s bid had encouraged officials to consider further expansion of the new Big Bash League.
Cricket Australia marketing general manager Mike McKenna said “tremendous growth and potential” in Melbourne’s growing western suburbs also hurt Geelong’s bid.
A push for lights by 2013 among Skilled Stadium operators and tenants including Geelong Football Club as part of a ground redevelopment was too late, Mr McKenna said.
“It made a hard decision a little bit clearer when you looked at some of the facilities provided in those two venues (the MCG and Etihad Stadium) and I guess the critical issue was there are no lights yet at Skilled Stadium.”
Former Cats president Frank Costa had told the Independent that light towers were an impromptu part of Geelong’s Twenty20 bid.
Geelong bid chair Michael King said supporters had done everything possible to bring Twenty20 cricket to the city.
A revamped 20-over a side format for the competition next season included two teams each for Melbourne and Sydney and one for other first-class venues.
“We are very disappointed that we have been unsuccessful in our bid to host a T20 team in Geelong,” King said.
“Well done to the successful bidder. Our region will continue to focus on ensuring our involvement in future T20.”
The state association backed the Geelong bid for a second Victorian team, but Cricket Australia dashed local hopes.
“To have been selected (on Tuesday) would have been extraordinary for the region as it would have had a significant impact not only for Geelong’s economy, but for sports development in the region,” Mr King said.