The Castlemaine District Cricket Association is excited about the arrival of former EVCA club Maiden Gully.
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On Wednesday night Maiden Gully put its case forward to the league board and representatives of the eight clubs.
The clubs voted unanimously to accept Maiden Gully into the league for the upcoming 2020-21 season.
"It was a very easy decision to make and all the clubs are thrilled to have Maiden Gully in the league,'' CDCA president Shane Renfrey said.
"Maiden Gully impressed us with their plans and we think they'll be a great addition to our league.
"Two years ago we were down to five clubs in A-grade and now with Maiden Gully we're back up to seven. We're very happy with that. Hopefully, we're getting back towards the level we were at years ago when we had eight teams."
Read more: Why Maiden Gully decided to leave the EVCA
Maiden Gully's A-grade team has been competitive in the EVCA in recent years without threatening to win a premiership.
Renfrey said the quality of the Maiden Gully A-grade team was not a major concern for CDCA clubs.
"It's hard to compare leagues, so it is unknown as to how good Maiden Gully will be,'' he said.
"They want to play on turf and we can offer a 75 per cent turf wicket ratio to hard wickets.
"I don't think they would have come to us if we didn't have turf, so that was our biggest drawcard."
Maiden Gully's addition means the CDCA's seven-team A-grade competition will have a bye this summer.
"A couple of years ago when we had five teams in A-grade we received some feedback that a lot of players actually didn't mind having a bye,'' Renfrey said.
"They enjoyed having a break every now and then because cricket is a big commitment over summer.
"We don't expect there to be a problem with the bye this year."
Castlemaine United, Muckleford, Barkers Creek, Newstead, Guildford and North Castlemaine are the other six clubs in A-grade, while Hepburn and Taradale field teams in lower grades.
"Travel was the only negative that was brought up at the meeting, but it wasn't seen as a big deal,'' Renfrey said.
"To be fair, the clubs based downw here aren't going to need to do the travel that Maiden Gully has to do.
"Overall, everyone is looking forward to welcoming a new club and new people to the league."
Renfrey saud the CDCA had plans in place for a reduced fixture should the COVID-19 restrictions stretch past the traditional cricket season starting date of early October.
"We've looked at (the prospect of) making the whole season one-day games,'' Renfrey said.
"That way you get more games in and, if we have to into lockdown again, it's probably easier to manage.
"We'll just have to wait and see what happens over the next few weeks."
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