Magazine - Cricket Releases MCG for Grand Final

By Editor in Cricket on 9th Aug 2010 9:00

A day after the AFL threatened to move next year's grand final from the MCG, Cricket Victoria (CV) has confirmed the ground will be available.

CV released a statement on Friday night, saying its board had decided earlier in the day not to oppose the league's plan for an October 1 finale. The league is likely to stage the grand final one week later than usual next season as part of the expansion to 17 teams.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou dramatically raised the stakes on Thursday, saying that the league will not negotiate with cricket authorities over the availability of the MCG. Cricket Victoria has a statutory right to use the ground from October 1 to March 31.

"Although the (cricket) fixture for season 2010-11 is undetermined, CV is not aware of any likely significant structural changes or special requirement for interstate or international matches to specifically be staged in Victoria during that period," CV chief executive Tony Dodemaide said in the statement.

"We understand the intense public interest in the grand final and its scheduling as a cornerstone of the long-term event planning process. "We have therefore decided to support the AFL and (Melbourne Cricket Club's) request to stage the match at that time, even though it is technically within our contracted period.

Source & More: www.abc.net.au

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