Local cricket: VTCA, CSB delays start of the season as others prepare to follow

After Covid delayed the start of the last two cricket seasons, Melbourne’s weather is creating another “frustrating” challenge with players set to be forced to wait again.

Melbourne’s wet weather is wreaking havoc with the start of the new cricket season.

Several competitions across the metropolitan region have already made the decision to push their respective start dates back by at least a week until October 8.

It’s just the latest blow to local cricket having dealt with Covid-forced delays in the past two seasons.

Victorian Turf Cricket Association president Zoran Havranek described the situation as a “week-by-week proposition”.

“There’s a lot of issues with the grounds when it comes to the pitches and outfields,” he said.

“Some of the grounds are covered in that much mud they aren’t even able to get tractors out there. Turf wickets take a minimum of 20 days to prepare so we will see what happens from here.

Wild weather is ruining the start of cricket season. Photo: Getty Images.

“We don’t want to get out there too early and destroy the tables for the rest of the season.

“We’ll keep taking feedback from clubs and working with Cricket Victoria before we make any other decisions.”

Cricket Southern Bayside clubs have been informed that the opening day of the season on October 1 has been called off.

Round 1 — a one-day game — will be rescheduled to Sunday, January 8, depending on ground availability.

“I had a heap of calls last week from clubs stating that their ground just won’t be up, and this was before the weekend’s weather,’’ Cricket Southern Bayside operations manager Ben Cavey said.

“I’ve actually had a couple of emails saying we will be lucky to play in October.’’

Victorian Sub District Cricket Association chief executive Ken Hilton confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that his competition would also start on October 8.

In an email to clubs, he said 18 grounds had already been determined to be available for next weekend.

“In view of this, we have no choice but to cancel all play for all groups scheduled for Saturday, October 1, and Round One will now be played as a One Day Game on Saturday, October 8,” he said.

“We urge clubs to continue to work closely with their councils/ground managers, so that we can commence our season on October 8.

“Every effort will be made (weather permitting) to commence our season on this date.”

Some local councils are closing grounds due to the weather. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Premier Cricket could also be forced to wait for the first ball to be bowled with Cricket Victoria in the process of receiving reports from clubs on the state of their grounds.

Officials will arrive at a decision as early as next week before deciding whether play gets underway on October 1.

The wet weather is also causing issues for hard wicket competitions including the Diamond Valley Cricket Association.

President Matt Fleming said the outfields of some grounds remain in poor condition.

“We have a president’s meeting next Wednesday so we’ll be making our decision then,” he said.

“I’d say now it would be difficult to see us playing. We’ve got one-day matches at the start of the season so it probably wouldn’t effect us too much.”

Dandenong District Cricket Association clubs have been informed that day one of the season has been called off, with the season now to hit off on October 8.