MPCA gets set for shortened season due to coronavirus uncertainty
The Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association has discussed potential start dates for season 2020-21, while a star of the comp says all games should be one-dayers.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association has discussed potential start dates for season 2020-21 and says it is committed to playing as much cricket as possible.
It is understood a November 28 start, with only one-day matches to be played, was talked about during an online MPCA board meeting on Monday night.
MPCA general manager Ian Benson said no official decision has been made yet on how the competition will look in the 2020-21 season or when it will begin.
“We threw a couple of dates around last night, possible start dates, which is all pending,’’ Benson said.
“And then we will work out what we can fit in.
“But we haven’t got any definitive stance as yet.’’
Benson said the MPCA would send out an email to clubs this week outlining plans to wait until the easing of stage 4 lockdown restrictions before deciding on the next step.
“Some clubs have been ringing but until we know what happens on the 13th (of September) we really can’t tell them anything,’’ Benson said.
“We hope to start as early as we can and get as much cricket in as we can but it’s got to be managed properly.’’
Langwarrin vice president Gary Rees has called for the MPCA to come up with several plans for how the the season might look.
“At least have contingencies, maybe have an A, B and C plan,’’ he said.
“Otherwise what’s going to happen, all of a sudden the government says it’s okay to go back to training, and we won’t have anything in place. They need contingencies.
“If I was running the league I’d have three different start dates right now.’’
Long Island and former Victorian batsman Nick Jewell said he would be in favour of having a season of one-day games.
“My thoughts are 14 one-dayers starting in January,’’ he said.
“If you play maybe two weekends of Saturday-Sunday games where you knock over two games at once, that gets you to the end of March and then you play your two weekends of finals in April.’’
MORE LOCAL CRICKET
Proof the Heat are rising
Two near-tons and a strong middle-order offering are signs of Frankston Peninsula’s improved status in Premier Cricket, according to Heat coach Peter Marshall.
The Jackson brothers: Pines cricket’s first family
It was a historic day in the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association as five brothers played together in a First XI match, although there was some early friction.