Bushrangers to stay a tenant at the MCG

The Victorian Bushrangers will stay at the MCG despite the ground holding 100,000 people. Cam Matthews from Cricket Victoria stated that the home ground advantage and the greater facilities offered by the MCG are the critical factors behind the MCG maintaining its status as the home of Victorian cricket.

The critical importance is home ground advantage and the Bushrangers believe that this is most helpful at the MCG. "Talking to the players and coaches they believe they have a significant advantage by playing games at the MCG."

Matthews explained that it was likely that the MCG will remain the home venue of the Bushrangers for some time to come, while admitting that the size does have some disadvantages. "In the short term future the MCG will remain home to the bushrangers...although the size of the ground means that when 2 or 3,000 are held at the ground you would barely know anyone was their".

Despite happy with one day crowds at Junction Oval, Matthews said that Day-Night Games which have been used to great effect at the WACA ground will be considered next year when they return to the MCG . "Certainly we will look into playing Day/Night games at the MCG...but presently we cannot do this due to hosting the games at Junction Oval."

The MCG will host all Bushrangers Pura and ING cup matches after Christmas and Matthews said upon looking at the facilities yesterday, they have improved from the previous facilities in the Great Southern Stand. "We had a look at the facilities in the new stand and it offers significantly better facilities then anywhere else in Victoria". Matthews also said that a country game would be guaranteed to Victoria every year. "We will be hosting an ING Cup match in the country every year with all other matches being played at the MCG".