Heath Pyke’s mind will be firmly on winning a sixth Ballarat Cricket Association first grade premiership with Wendouree on Saturday, but he can’t be blamed for taking the odd phone call during breaks in play.
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After all, the star wicket-keeper/batsman is coach of the Bungaree senior side, which opens its 2017 Central Highlands Football League campaign on Saturday afternoon against Dunnstown.
Bungaree president Andrew Maher told The Courier his club has been aware of Pyke’s potential conflict of interest for a long time and that it fully supported him in his cricket endeavors.
Maher said Pyke had offered to coach and play for the football club this Saturday, but its committee had wanted him to play in the cricket decider.
“I’m sure his thoughts on the day are going to be both ways, not only on the pitch but on the oval as well,” Maher said.
Maher said he hopes the situation where the opening round of the CHFL season clashes with cricket finals could be avoided in the future.
Pyke’s off-field job on Saturday will be shared by his coaching panel, including father Ivan and assistants Jayden Reid, Barry Browning and Heath Boyd.
Wendouree sits in a strong position heading into the third day of the grand final against Darley at the Eastern Oval.
The Red Caps held a 65-run lead after both teams completed their first innings, but lost a wicket late on day two to be 1-0 when stumps were pulled last Sunday evening.
Pyke is yet to bat in the Wendouree second innings, but made 18 in the first dig. He also took a catch and made a stumping.
The clash in fixturing won’t only concern Pyke and Bungaree, with a number of other footballers tied up with cricket grand finals this weekend.
Some of these include Paul Phillips, who will miss Creswick’s football match against Carngham-Linton while playing cricket for Dunnstown, and Ballan’s Jake Wilkie, who is in battle against Pyke.
