WPVCA disallow Jaco Castle participation, Durbanville Cricket Club contest rule

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Jaco Castle.Jaco Castle.

Posted By: Editorial October 18, 2022

The Western Province Veterans Cricket Association have introduced a rule that disallows selection of Western Province Cricket Association premier league and first division A players.

The new rule effectively bars players such as Durbanville Cricket Club’s Jaco Castle and Milnerton Cricket Club’s Robin van Harte from participating in the Western Province Veterans Cricket Association league.

Castle played in the 2021-22 WPVCA league and 2021-22 WPCA premier league. Van Harte has played in the WPVCA league and first division A in the same season, too.

“No current first division A and premier league players are allowed to participate in the WP veterans league,” states and extract from the WPVCA rules for the 2022-23 season.

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‘Irrational and arbitrary’

Durbanville Cricket Club have formally contested the rule.

“Being a first division A or premier league player is not an all-inclusive measure of assessing a player’s competency and/or competitiveness,” read an extract from Durbanville Cricket Club’s objection.

“On what measure have first division B, C or D players been excluded? What about retiring or recently-retired former first-class or international cricketers?

“It appears a retiring James Anderson or Darren Stevens can participate in the veterans league in terms of the current rules – and who likely can be considered far more competitive and accomplished (with respect) to, say, van Harte or Castle.

“It can be easily argued that a JP Duminy or Ashwell Prince are probably far more competent or competitive individuals, but who are targeted and not affected by this arbitrary rule.

“Is it fair, then, that certain competent players over 40 years old can be included and yet current premier league or first division A players, only, excluded?

“Many competent and competitive players choose not only to play first division A or premier league cricket, but play by choice in lower leagues or at clubs who do not participate in these leagues.

“It is arbitrary to exclude players simply on the basis that they make themselves available and get selected in the first division A or premier league – where other players by choice choose not to, but are still competitive and competent.

“Under current rules, a veterans team can seemingly play against a team of 11 40-year-olds who just the previous season played in the first division A or premier league.

“How logical are the current rules, then, to exclude only a few 40-year-olds who still play in the first division A or premier league at those few clubs which compete in these leagues, yet the rules allow 11 40-year-olds who can be just as competent and compete?”

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