Ballarat Cricket Association has been forced to stagger the start of its season.
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With the opening day having already been abandoned across the board, a shortage of grounds owing to continued wet conditions means three lower end senior and all junior grades will have to wait another week before getting underway.
BCA operations manager Greg Wakeling said there were only enough grounds available for firsts, seconds and one-day A grade competitions to go ahead on Saturday.
Thirds, fourths, one-day B grade and all junior games have been called off.
Wakeling said the call had been made after discussions between the BCA grounds and pennant committees, and City of Ballarat ground staff, and consultation with user groups and other governing bodies.
He said only grounds which had been assessed as “most likely” to be fit for safe play given the favourable late week forecast would be used.
Concerns for potential damage to grounds had also been part of the decision-making process.
“ We understand there will be some frustrations and some relief on the back of this decision, but as we are all acutely aware, we have not seen this kind of inclement weather for many years .
“While City of Ballarat ground staff are working their magic where they can, there is only so much they can do.”
Wakeling said the status of ground would continue to be monitored, with confirmation of matches going ahead being determined on Wednesday afternoon/Thursday morning.