COVID-19 outbreak sees local cricket competition cancel this weekend’s games

Sunbury’s COVID-19 outbreak has forced a local cricket competition to cancel this weekend’s games with question marks over the rest of the season.

Jordon McDonald dives for the crease as Lance Watts reaches for the ball. Picture: Hamish Blair

The Gisborne District Cricket Association has been forced to cancel this weekend’s round due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Sunbury.

It is the first time a cricket competition in Victoria has had to call off games since the season started in November.

A number of businesses in the Sunbury Square Shopping Centre have been closed for cleaning and the region has seen several positive tests returned as part of the Holiday Inn cluster.

The GDCA announced the decision on its Facebook page on Thursday afternoon.

Lindon Dowsett hooks the ball away for Diggers Rest Bulla. Picture: Hamish Blair

“Considering the impact that the COVID-19 outbreak is having in the Sunbury area, with Sunbury Shopping Centre being classified as a Tier 1 site, and in consultation with both DHHS and Cricket Victoria, the board has made the decision to abandon all cricket scheduled for this weekend,” the statement read.

“While unfortunate, the health and safety of the cricket community is paramount and we felt that this is the most appropriate course of action.

“When you consider the position sporting associations were in last year, to have had an uninterrupted season up to this point is something we can all be grateful for.

“Please note that there is no intention to replay this round at this stage.

“Please keep across emails, the GDCA website and Facebook page for further updates regarding the remainder of the season. We are hopeful that there will be no further interruptions.”

The association released a statement to the media several hours later saying the issue was bigger than just Sunbury.

Gisborne skipper Jason Wilson swings for the fences. Picture: Hamish Blair

“This is not just a Sunbury COVID issue. Many people from Kyneton, Woodend, Gisborne, Riddell, Romsey and the wider area work, shop or go to school in Sunbury,” it read.

“We don’t know how many of these people have visited the exposure sites and we certainly don’t know how many have been tested and have self-isolated waiting for their results.

“Pop-up testing sites have been established today at Sunbury’s Clarke Oval and McMahon Reserve and we have been told that they will probably be there until the weekend.

“There are many Sunbury residents who play for cricket clubs outside of Sunbury including Riddell, Romsey, Lancefield, Macedon, Gisborne, Woodend, Kyneton and Malmsbury. The potential is there to shut the whole area down for weeks again should the virus spread into these communities.

“We’ve taken the approach that it is better to lose one week of cricket than risk losing the rest of the season. DHHS and Cricket Victoria have supported the decision as the right thing to do.

“We are not prepared to put the health and safety of our cricket participants and members of the wider community at risk. We will review the advice from health authorities after this weekend to consider if we can resume cricket matches the following weekend”.

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In the top flight competition, the McIntyre Shield, Gisborne were set to host East Sunbury, Sunbury United was at home to Bacchus Marsh and Woodend faced Diggers Rest Bulla, while Romsey had the bye.

Meanwhile, in the Johnstone Shield, Sunbury Kangaroos were to play Gisborne, Riddell host St Anthonys, Sunbury United travel to Wallan and Bacchus Marsh face Rupertswood.

In the third tier Jensen Shield, East Sunbury were scheduled to play Kyneton, Aintree host Macedon, Sunbury travel to Diggers Rest Bulla and Eynesbury face Romsey.

The GDCA hopes to resume in Round 11 on February 20.