Brayden Rintoule and Xavier Van Langenberg of Jindivick Cricket Club train for the return of the Warragul and District Cricket Association's competition.
by Jack Morgan
The first weekend of local cricket would usually begin this Saturday but will be delayed by at least a month because of COVID restrictions.
The Warragul and District Cricket Association hope to play their first game of cricket on November 6, when 80 per cent of the state’s eligible population is fully vaccinated. This could extend to the following weekend if the milestone is not met on time.
A roadmap to the 2021/22 season from Cricket Victoria recommends the November 13 weekend as a return date, and only one day matches to be scheduled this season. This would see the WDCA play only T20 or 50 over matches.
The WDCA board of management voted on whether to follow this advice in a meeting last Wednesday.
After deliberation, league officials voted to flout the roadmap from CV and instead hold two day matches for divisions one and two. This would bring back the traditional format where each side plays an innings over two weekends.
Divisions three to six will play a mixture of one-day and two-day cricket. The WDCA junior cricket committee have not yet decided on a return date or format, but hope to play as soon as possible.
WDCA President Michael Neilson said one-dayers could have a negative effect on cricket participation.
“It was a close vote in the end, players wanted to play two-day cricket and once we start playing, we’re hoping not to be stopped by COVID,” Neilson said.
It’s also thought that two-day matches would better determine the top sides. For example, a full day of fielding would give more recognition to a strong bowling performance.
Cricket Victoria said it was cautious of delaying the season too far.
“Given the season delay, the potential of localised lockdowns and the expected wetter than normal summer ahead, delaying the season too far will erode the chance of maximising the number of matches played,” CV said.
Under Regional Victoria restrictions, local clubs are allowed to hold trainings with the minimum number of players required. CV recommends cricket teams are split into groups of 10 at training, to minimise the risk of spreading the virus.
Many sides in the WDCA are already back training, but some clubs such as Catani CC and Garfield-Tynong CC fall within Cardinia shire. Players from these clubs will only be able to train once Melbourne passes the 70per cent double dose threshold, expected late October.
These problems should resolve when Regional Victoria links up with Melbourne when the 80 per cent full dose threshold is passed, expected on November 5. This threshold will allow all WDCA teams to play together on the expected return date.
