Day one of the Ballarat Cricket Association season has been called off due to inclement weather.
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A number of grounds have not been able to be attended to in order to prepare them for the season-opener following a wet September.
Ballarat Cricket Association Operations Officer Greg Wakeling said it was too difficult to get heavy machinery onto the soft underfoot grounds to allow the necessary work to be ready for the cricket season.
Despite the forecast of a reasonably sunny weekend, the damage had been done in the time lost in recent weeks following numerous downpours. Wakeling could not guarantee play would get underway the week after and said it was a matter of hoping for better weather to enable the grounds to recover and be properly prepared. However, good weather permitting, what would of initially been the second day of a two-day round one season opener will now become a one-day match.
“They’re hoping by Friday afternoon they might be able to get out onto the ovals to remove the covers and maybe mow it – that’s best case scenario,” Wakeling said.
“If it’s still too wet they’ll hope the weekends ok and by Monday morning they can get out and do some work.”
Wakeling said the reason behind the early call on Saturday’s play was the obvious fact that play could not eventuate no matter what the rest of the week’s weather held. And to allow clubs to plan for the week after and further prepare for season 2016-17.
Friday afternoon they might be able to get out onto the ovals ... that’s best case scenario.
- BCA's Greg Wakeling
The BCA will look to make a similarly early call next week if required.
“No one will be surprised that we can’t get on. The idea in calling it off now rather than waiting until Friday – it just gives clubs a little bit of relief, knowing no ones been able to train outside or set their season up. We’ll make a decision the same time next week if we can.”
