MPCA plays on despite high number of Omicron cases

The MPCA has drawn up a list of conditions for the season to continue as it emerges hundreds of players are unavailable due to Covid.

Hastings and Carrum Downs do battle last month. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Player numbers will be a bit thin when the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association returns from its mid-season break on Saturday.

It’s understood most clubs have indicated they’ve got between six and 10 players in isolation and unavailable to play.

There was a suggestion the MPCA might cancel lower grades games but the association has decided to push on, with all grades to go ahead as scheduled on Saturday.

“We are committed to making sure we get through the season,” MPCA general manager Jason Nagel said on Thursday.

“There are no restriction on numbers, so if you’ve got 10 out, you’ve got 10 out.

“If that means you’ve got six out of the ones you’ve just got to replace them.

“Anyone can come up from any grade and play, and then they can go back once the Covid situation finishes.”

The MPCA will allow any player to be called upon to play in any grade above to help field the strongest sides possible.

These players will be able to drop down to their original grade without having to drop grade by grade.

The MPCA has also set up a Covid register, with clubs required to list players who are unavailable to play due to Covid requirements.

“We’re relying on clubs to be honest and get through these time together,” Nagel said.

“If you forfeit because you haven’t got numbers because they’re away we’ll that’s a forfeit and the opposition gets the points. But if it’s Covid related and it’s on the list then it’s a shared points scenario.”

Meanwhile, Melbourne Country Week has been cancelled again due to Covid.

It’s the second successive year the annual carnival has been called off.