Chase for state Spirit of Cricket award tightens

The quest to claim the inaugural state Spirit of Cricket award has tightened, with three states currently sharing the lead in the award standings, Cricket Australia announced today.

The West End Redbacks, Tasmanian Tigers and Victorian Bushrangers head the table with 42 points each from 12 matches this season.

In close pursuit behind the leaders - and having played one less match - are the SpeedBlitz Blues on 39 points, and the Queensland Bulls on 34 points from 11 games.

New South Wales and Queensland have the chance to gain ground on the leaders tomorrow, when they do battle in the day-night ING Cup match at Telstra Stadium.

The Retravision Warriors follow with 26 points from 12 matches, having doubled their tally since the last standings were released in December.

The officiating umpires issue points on a 3,2,1,0,-1 basis at the end of each game, with teams rewarded for displaying the true spirit, traditions, and values of cricket.

If a player is reported and found guilty under Cricket Australia's Code of Conduct during a match, their team is automatically given a score of minus one point. Voting in ING Cup games is weighted at a ratio of 1:1, while Pura Cup voting adopts a 3:1 weighting.

The state Spirit of Cricket points table, including all Pura Cup and ING Cup fixtures up until Friday 16 January is:

Meanwhile in the Women's National Cricket League (WNCL), the challenge for the state Spirit of Cricket award also remains open.

The Western Fury, which has completed its eight-match season, currently heads the WNCL Spirit of Cricket award table with 18 points.

However, with this weekend's final round of matches - which will also determine the WNCL finalists and host state - any of the four other states can take out the award, with each side to play two limited-over matches.

The Southern Scorpions (14 points) host Victoria Spirit (13 points) at Pembroke, while the New South Wales Breakers (12 points) play Queensland Fire at Hurstville Oval (17 January) and at Telstra Stadium (18 January).

The WNCL Spirit of Cricket points table, including all fixtures up until Friday 16 January is:

Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said the close standings between the states reflected the positive behaviour and attitude of players across all competitions.

"With only a few rounds remaining in the Pura Cup, ING Cup and WNCL competitions, it's encouraging to see all states in close pursuit in the award standings," said Mr Sutherland.

"This demonstrates the level of importance that players, coaches and umpires have shown in committing to the values of fair play and setting good examples in their attitudes and behaviour on and off the field.

"The Spirit of Cricket awards are one of several initiatives Cricket Australia has implemented to help recognise, reward and promote these important values of the game."

The state Spirit of Cricket awards are part of a broader Cricket Australia Spirit of Cricket project designed to ensure cricketers at all levels - including grade and local club sides around Australia - understand their obligations to fair play.

At underage level, the Australian Capital Territory collected the Spirit of Cricket award at the recently completed Australian Under-19 Female Championships in Hobart, which saw New South Wales reclaim the Betty Wilson Shield, and Queensland's Kasee Marxsen and New South Wales' Laura Wright named as Players of the Series.

Australian captains Ricky Ponting and Belinda Clark were on hand to present the Australian Capital Territory with the under-19 Spirit of Cricket award.

The state Spirit of Cricket award will be updated at the end of every second Pura Cup round, and announced on the following dates:

The latest spirit of cricket news and updates is available online at www.baggygreen.com.au/spirit