WA Country Cricket Board embraces short-format cricket after announcing bold changes for 2024 country week

The WA Country Cricket Board has endorsed a significant change to its major senior competition, with country week no longer played in a 60-over format with red balls and white clothing. There will be big changes to both junior and senior country week after a WACCB meeting last week. The 2025 senior country week competition will align with the Belt-Up Country Cup rules by moving from a 60-over format with two-day cricket rules to purely one-day cricket. Previously players used red balls and wore whites during country week matches while players were not restricted to a cap of 10 overs each among other rules. Now, with the new rules passed on October 11, players will use white balls, wear colours and be capped at 10 overs each as are the rules for standard one-day cricket. Junior country week will also adopt coloured clothing and white balls. WACCB country area manager Andrew Hayes said the change was made after receiving suggestions from country week players at previous tournaments. “The WACCB resolved to accept a change of format to 50-over one-day rules for all sections at senior men’s country week. “The feedback also indicated that players would like to see a closer alignment to one-day cricket and all that offers in terms of coloured uniforms and opportunities for sponsors. “From a junior country week perspective, the kids are keen to follow in the steps of their heroes and play the game in coloured clothing.” Hayes believes the shorter format will provide a more attractive game for players and spectators. “It will enhance the excitement of the short-term format, making the country week games across Perth more engaging and accessible for viewers,” he said. “Spectators are increasingly drawn to shorter formats, influenced by what they watch on TV during the summer. “With the growing use of Frogbox for live streaming, cricket has become an even more enjoyable experience to watch.” The Great Southern Cricket Association and the Albany and Districts Cricket Association have each embraced the change to align with the WACCB and will wear colours and use white balls in their top competitions this season. The WACCB is calling all country associations to reach out for information and support around the changes and submit their colour designs for country week competitions in January.