The pennant committee made the decision at 5pm on Friday, off the back of wretched weather throughout the week – ruling out a number of wickets around the region – while the forecast for Saturday is once again for rain.

Ballarat Cricket Association operations officer said the decision was made in fairness to the overall competition.

With the likelihood of matches being rained out, the committee felt the best decision was to make an early call therefore giving people plenty of notice and ruling out the potential of some matches getting enough play to have a result, which can often unfairly influence the ladder.

“In terms of competition integrity (it was the right call),” Wakeling told The Courier.

“It can change the whole competition...there’s so many permutations that could take place that could really jeopardise the integrity of the competition.

“Plus, wet cricket is not safe cricket and it’s not good cricket.

“Everyone’s going to appreciate the Friday night call instead of waiting until the morning.”

This round was scheduled to be a two-dayer, therefore play on December 22 will now be a one-day fixture.

East Ballarat and Mt Clear were set to face-off in a top-of-the-table clash, that key fixture will have to be postponed.

Junior matches have also been called off.

Play is still expected for country week matches, due to be played on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Ballarat Bolts will get its Women’s Community Cricket north west A one-day competition under way.

The Bolts will take on Altona Roosters in round two of the competition, the Bolts having a bye last weekend.

The Ballarat side will be hoping to continue the impressive form it had through the twenty20 format – which saw it finish on top of the ladder.

Play will get under way from 1pm on Sunday at Eastern Oval.