Today Andrew Barr officially launched the ACT cricket season. I assume today was chosen for the launch because the weather finally got hot enough to make standing around in the sun all day uncomfortable, and cricket is all about misery.
This will be another big summer of local cricket, with the highlight being the Prime Minister’s XI match against England on 14 January 2014 at Manuka Oval.
Manuka Oval is currently undergoing a significant transformation with the replacement of the playing surface as well as the installation of an extra 1400 seats. Improving amenities for spectators, players and the media is an important step in bringing more top-flight matches to Canberra.
Already confirmed is the 2015 Cricket World Cup, during which Manuka Oval will host three matches:
— Bangladesh v Afghanistan;
— West Indies v Zimbabwe; and
— South Africa v Ireland.
The first series of home matches for the ACT Meteors is from November 8 to 10, when they take on Tasmania.
The ACT Comets play home matches against Victoria and Western Australia in February.
Last season was exciting for cricket in the ACT. Manuka Oval hosted the first ever one-day international played in Canberra, when Australia took on the West Indies in February, and in January the PM’s XI took on the West Indies in the first match under the new floodlights.
[Photo by gareth1953 Computer Malfunction Solved (CC BY 2.0)