Adding to the frustration is the fact Darley has full access to its ground and is ready for play. But the wet weather in Ballarat has not allowed the season to get underway.

Darley played a practice match against Wendouree last weekend which gave all of its players a good hit-out and while it was not for premiership points, Pritchard said it was beneficial to the group.

“Even if it’s not for points it gave us a good look at a few blokes,” Pritchard said.

“We’re pretty much at full strength, we haven’t had any injuries. We’re going in with a fair bit of optimism.”

With a new-look batting line-up that will see the addition of Sri Lankan import Hasitha Wickramasinghe and the return of Lachlan Herring to accompany the developing Jake Wilkie and Zac Ticehurst.

Pritchard felt the side was better equipped this season, largely off the back of its batting – which must improve according to the coach.

“We need to make sure we bat a bit better and get some good scores on the board so that we’re not defending low totals.

“We’re a fair bit different in regards to our batting to what we were last year and to be honest I think we’re a stronger team.

“We certainly think if we play our best cricket, it’s more than a match for anyone else in the competition.”

Darley will be put to the immediate test as it takes on last year’s premier Golden Point.

Pritchard said while it missed the finals in 2015-16 and its round 2 opponent won the flag, it was not far off the mark. Underlined by its final match of last season where it lost to Golden Point by 13 runs – which ultimately saw it bundled out of the finals.

“We don’t think we’re that far off them. We’ll go into the match with a fair bit of confidence and thinking that if we put our best foot forward that we’ll be able to win.”

Golden Point will also enter the clash with a near-full-strength outfit – with the only missing piece its Jamaican import Tamar Lambert.

Coach Adrian Harris said the club was hopeful it would get its prized recruit into the club by next week.

Golden Point will be strengthened by Daniel White’s return to bowling, who was unable to bowl last year due to an ankle injury and Dan McDonald who missed much of last season.

Both will be welcome additions to the bowling attack.