Bendigo and Goulburn Murray cricket set to start in November

The Goulburn Murray and Bendigo Cricket Associations provide updates on their plans for the season following the floods.

Bendigo and Goulburn Murray’s cricket competitions may not resume until next month as both associations deal with grounds heavily impacted by the floods.

Heavy rainfall last week into already full rivers and dams caused flooding in major towns in north Victoria including Bendigo, Echuca and Shepparton.

Some clubs already expect it will take weeks to get grounds and pitches ready for cricket again.

Goulburn Murray chairman Jason Turner has been helping the community sandbag flooded areas in and around Shepparton.

He said a decision on what happens with the cricket would be made on Wednesday.

The A-grade competition started on October 7 with four games washed out and only one match completed – Moama defeating Cooma by 10 wickets.

Last week’s fixture was also washed out.

Despite games being scheduled for this weekend, no cricket will be played as focus turns to recovery from the floods.

“At the moment we are going to put it on hold for a bit,” Turner said.

“We’ve got a meeting on Wednesday night where we are going to discuss what is happening.

“Junior competition already has been put on hold until November.

“But it is a bit of an unknown with other grades as more rain is forecast.”

In Bendigo, not a ball has been bowled yet to start the 2022-23 season.

Strathfieldsaye Cricket Club was severely hit by flash flooding on Thursday.

“(We’re) most likely (starting) end of October, possibly start of November for some grades,” Bendigo District Cricket Association president Travis Harling said.

“But who knows with the rain that is forecast to be received in the coming weeks.”

Other associations impacted by the flooding have yet to make a decision on their scheduled fixtures.

This includes the Maryborough and District Cricket Association and the Albury Wodonga Cricket Association.