The Tasmanian Cricket Association unveiled several new initiatives at the 2000-01 domestic and international launch in Hobart.

Australian Cricket Board and TCA chairman Denis Rogers told those in attendance that he was looking forward to the domestic cricket season which will include Mercantile Mutual Cup matches at Launceston, Devonport and Hobart.

Bellerive Oval in Hobart will also play host to an Australia A versus West Indies limited overs match as the West Indies prepare for their tour of Australia.

Mr Rogers also said that he was anticipating a successful season for the Cascade Tasmanian Tigers following the additions of Victorian bowler David Saker, Canberra Comets' batsman Graeme Cunningham, Australian under-19 wicketkeeper Sean Clingeleffer and promising paceman Brett Geeves to the 2000-01 squad.

The full squad of Tigers attended the launch as their new Canterbury training and travel uniforms were unveiled and several new television advertisements for the Tigers and also the Test team were screened at the launch, being held at Hobart's Village Cinemas.

The ACB has been encouraging more attacking cricket by giving quick-scoring teams bonus points for either bowling teams out cheaply or scoring quick runs which will be a crowd-pleasing aspect of the game. David Boon, TCA marketing and special events coordinator said that some new family-day packages and junior Tiger packages were being put together to help the public access the Tasmanian Tigers' 2000-01 campaign, both on and off the field.

Mr Rogers could not stress the fact that Tasmanian cricket and domestic cricket on a whole was heading in a new, exciting direction and said he had high hopes for the season. The Tigers play the Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy on the 9th of October in a warmup to their first Mercantile Mutual Cup match against the Southern Redbacks on October 14 in Adelaide.

© Thomas Rose