![Tallangatta all-rounder Andrew Lade says CAW 2-day games are "our form of Test cricket". Tallangatta all-rounder Andrew Lade says CAW 2-day games are "our form of Test cricket".](/images/transform/v1/resize/frm/storypad-AhwTEVHdSTgNNb2AhbTpkf/740ac6ac-3e81-4f1b-9d12-08240d43b9d3.jpg/w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
FOUR leading Cricket Albury-Wodonga identities have urged Provincial clubs to snub a proposal to ditch two-day matches next season.
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Wodonga captain Robbie Jackson, North Albury president Rod Barton, East Albury stalwart and former CAW board member Cameron Diffey and Tallangatta all-rounder Andrew Lade believe the option could have disastrous ramifications for the association.
The option will be one of four put to clubs at CAW’s special general meeting next week.
“It’s ludicrous to even think about getting rid of two-day cricket,” Jackson said.
“It’s the best way to test yourself against the best players.
“I have seen competitions back from where I’m from all but fold in a couple of years after going from two-day cricket to one-day cricket.
“The Griffith, Leeton and Narrandera were all strong competitions and fell by the wayside.
“Last year’s format was absolutely faultless, it was perfect, so why change it?”
CAW clubs will be asked to consider four options — two-day, one-day internationals, one-day pennant and Twenty20 — with Provincial and District clubs able to vote for the preferred choice for their competition.
They also have the option of playing a combination of matches like last season.
While CAW chairman Michael Erdeljac is a firm believer in one-day matches due to the benefits they have brought to representative cricket as well as pitch and ground conditions, he said clubs would make the final decision next month.
“I believe there are significant advantages, but it’s not my decision to make,” Erdeljac said.
“Provincial will vote on the format they want to play and the same with District.
“I’m happy to play two-day cricket, but I would ask everyone to look at all the options put on the table.”
While Lade backed CAW’s decision to allow New City and Wodonga Raiders into provincial to form a 10-team competition, he said he would like to see two-day cricket remain.
“After being involved in that form of the game for a long time I still think it’s the best sort of cricket to play,” Lade said.
“I personally would hate to see it go; it’s our form of Test cricket.
“There are tactics in one-day cricket, but in two-day cricket things can change so quickly and there are lots of opportunities for a lot more players.”
Diffey said two-day cricket was the best way to develop young cricketers.
“If the overwhelming majority of Provincial clubs want to play one-day cricket matches, and not two-day matches, in my view that would be detrimental to the standard of cricket, but it is up to the clubs and current day players,” Diffey said.
“At Provincial level, the board and clubs should be focused on lifting the bar, improving the standard, as much as possible.
“The fact is that two-day cricket is the predominant format of cricket still played in the major regional and suburban associations.”
Barton echoed Diffey’s comments.
“In two-day cricket there is more scope to develop young cricketers,” Barton said.
“I disagree with the argument with rep cricket as I think the cart is being put before the horse.”