A few important issues.

1. Training this Thursday night is at the SACA nets at Park 25, corner of Port Rd and West Tce from 5:30pm.

The SACA has been extremely generous in offering us their facilities at no charge to the club.

I expect you all to enjoy these nets, which are often used by first class teams, but please treat the experience with respect also.

It will be compulsory to wear either a club training shirt or white playing shirt. All other outfits will mean you can't train, you can only watch from the carpark.

2. On Sunday, the club plays in the ATCA T20 Grand Final at Adelaide Oval. Obviously I would love to see as many of you there as possible to support the team.

Club shirts also preferred (yes they'll be smelly after Thurs and Sat) but be aware SACA has released a lengthy document relating to player and supporter expectations.

Key points include:

The banning of alcohol being brought into the ground.
Change rooms to be cleared 45 min after stumps drawn.

These are reasonable requests and I ask you to follow these directives closely.
Win, lose or draw, let's ensure we demonstrate our respect for this rare opportunity to play on an international venue.

We have made arrangements to head to the Hackney Hotel as a club straight after the match.

3. Many of you will already be aware that today the ATCA suspended our player Jack Dent for this Saturday's final minor round match.

The ATCA has been firm in handing down this penalty, but we will accept their decision.

I have two points to make:

Firstly, our on-field behaviour, particularly at an A Grade level, has been beneath the standards I expect from members of this club.

I will be addressing our standards, individually, as teams and as an entire club.

I believe we can play aggressive cricket successfully, but earn the respect of officials and opposition players as we do so.

Secondly, I want to commend Jack for the way he has handled himself since the report.

I lashed him at presentations on Saturday night and he copped it sweet.

He duly apologised to ATCA, to the officials on duty at the game, to the players concerned at the Walkerville CC, and to his club-mates.

I don't resile from my criticism one bit.

But his demeanour since has been exemplary.

He is a fine man and fine cricketer who has learned from one bad day.

As coach, I admire his determination to become an even better club person.

Thanks

See you Thursday

Ben Hook