Cricket Australia is adamant the Sheffield Shield final date is "set in stone" despite the Australian Football Leagues's request to have it changed to avoid a potential Easter weekend MCG clash, according to Daniel Cherny of THE AGE. CA released its fixtures for next summer's domestic and int'l seasons on Thursday, with the Shield final "set to start on Easter Saturday," running from March 26-30. AFL GM of Broadcasting, Scheduling & Major Events Simon Lethlean said that it was a "priority for the league to gain access to the MCG, Adelaide Oval, and possibly the Gabba and SCG for a late-March opening round." Lethlean said, "We are continuing discussions with Cricket Australia in relation to them moving the Shield final to an earlier date to enable the AFL to commence its season at the usual time and therefore allowing the AFL access to the MCG for round-one matches such as Richmond." CA "will not be budged on the date." However, Cricket Victoria CEO Tony Dodemaide said that CV would "talk to the AFL about finding another solution" that would fulfill the needs of both parties (THE AGE, 7/9).
