Sydney Grade Cricket

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Sydney Grade Cricket is a cricket competition played in Sydney, Australia. It has been described as "the most competitive form of Cricket in the world outside first class cricket." [1] The competition began in 1893 when a number of clubs, which had been playing for many years on an ad hoc basis, voted to create a formal competition structure. [2]

This competition has grown substantially and by the 2006/07 season, the Sydney Grade Cricket Competition encompasses 20 clubs. Each of the clubs fields a side in each of the 5 grades as well as a side in the Poidevin-Gray Shield and in the AW Green Shield.

1 Clubs
2 Grade Cricket
3 Poidevin-Gray Shield
4 AW Green Shield
5 Club Championship
6 External links

[edit] Clubs

Clubs in the 2006-07 season of Sydney Grade Cricket are:

Bankstown - One of the most successful clubs in recent years, home of the Waugh brothers.
Blacktown - Nicknamed the Warriors. Sydney's newest club founded recently in the 2002-2003 season due to outstanding performances in the Shires competition (a lower division) but have struggled to make a name for themselves. Although, many believe Blacktown to be a force in upcoming years due to increased player signings from other clubs. Home of Australian test off spinner Gavin Robertson and NSW paceman Don Nash.
Cambelltown-Camden - Nicknamed the Ghosts.
Eastern Suburbs - Founded as the Waverley Cricket Club in 1894, it changed its name in 1996 to reflect a broader regional basis. Nineteen Australian players have played at the club, including the Gregory brothers, Jack Fingleton, Greg Matthews and Nathan Bracken.[3]
Fairfield-Liverpool - Nicknamed the Lions. Home of NSW paceman Doug Bollinger.
Gordon - The Stags were founded in 1905 and have recently celebrated 100 years of Grade Cricket. The club has six first grade titles. Thirteen players have gone on to represent Australia including Victor Trumper, Bert Oldfield and Adam Gilchrist. Currently the Stags have four contracted NSW players; Matthew Nicholson, Beau Casson, Craig Simmons and James Packman. In the 2006/07 season, Will Smith, a contracted county player, was a member of the 1st Grade side.
Hawkesbury - Nicknamed the Hawks. Their home grounds of Owen Earl and Bensons Lane 2 and 3 are infamous for the number of mosquito flies and shocking heatwaves that occur.
Manly Warringah - Had strong performances last season being minor premiers in both formats and winning the one-day competition. Also won the 2005-2006 club championship title.
Mosman - Former Australian cricket captain Allan Border is probably the most famous former Mosman player. Also home of Australian test paceman Brett Lee.
North Sydney - Formed in 1893, it was a foundation club in the grade competition. The club is based at North Sydney Oval, a regular venue for first class cricket in NSW. Players have included Keith Miller and Stan McCabe.[4]
Northern District - Home of Adam Gilchrist.
Parramatta - Formerly Central Cumberland, the club was founded in 1843 and a foundation member of the grade competition. It claims to be the oldest living club in NSW & second oldest in Australia. Home of Richie Benaud, John Benaud, Doug Walters - winner of 3 First Grade Premierships.
Penrith - Like the local rugby league team, the Penrith cricket club are known as the Panthers.
Randwick Petersham - Nicknamed the Randy Petes. Home of former international batsman Simon Katich.
St George - Established in 1911, the club was the home of Sir Donald Bradman and Bill O'Reilly.
Sutherland - One of the newer clubs in the competition, the Sharks were formed in 1965. It is the home club of Glenn McGrath and Phil Jaques.
Sydney University - Founded in 1864, it was a foundation member of the grade competition. It has four first grade titles and twenty test players including Tom Garrett, Greg Matthews, Imran Khan, Stuart Clark and Stuart MacGill.[5]
University of NSW Grade Cricket Club, nicknamed the Bumble Bees. Home to former Test players Geoff Lawson and Michael Slater.
UTS Balmain - A merger in 2001 between the Balmain District Cricket Club (a member of Grade Cricket since 1897) and UTS has seen the history of Balmain Cricket continue into the 21st Century. Probably the three most famous players from this club are Archie Jackson, Arther Mailey and Greg Hayne.
Western Suburbs - Home of Michael Clarke, Australian test batsman. Ironically another player by the name of Micheal Clarke opens the batting for the first grade team.

[edit] Grade Cricket

The competition consists of 20 clubs who field one side in each of the five grades. In the 1st Grade competition, each side plays every other side over a total of 19 rounds. All other grades play only 15 rounds, thus missing out on playing 4 teams each season. The additional 4 rounds that are played by the 1st Grade sides are generally one day matches that take place on Sundays.

The 2006-07 season, for all grades, includes 10 two-day matches (generally played on two consecutive Saturdays) and 5 one-day matches. The 1st Grade sides will play an additional two-day match and 3 one-day matches. The 1st Grade Draw can be found here and the 2nd Grade draw, which is identical to the 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade draws, can be found here.

The final series generally consists of qualifying finals, semi finals and a final. These matches are played over two days, with the final being extended to three days if necessary. In the qualifying finals, the 1st placed team plays the 6th placed team, 2nd plays 5th and 3rd plays 4th. The three winning teams (or better placed team in the case of a draw) and the best placed losing team go through to the semi finals.

Points are allocated to the teams according to the results of each match. These points go towards the Club Championship which is awarded at the end of the regular season.

All of the current NSW first-class cricket players are signed to one of the grade clubs. This includes those players who also represent Australia although the demands of the international schedule mean the Australian players rarely get to play at grade level these days.

[edit] Poidevin-Gray Shield

The Poidevin-Gray Shield, or PG's as it is more commonly known, comprises teams who represent their grade sides in an Under 21 competition. All points received in this competition go towards the Club Championship. The 2006/07 draw can be found here.

[edit] AW Green Shield

Considered the toughest under 16 competition in the world, AW Green Shield, or Greenies as it is more commonly known, comprises teams who represent their grade sides in an Under 16 competition consisting of 7 preliminary rounds, qualifying finals, semi-finals and a grand final. All points received in this competition go towards the Club Championship. The 2006/07 draw can be found here.