Cricket Victoria releases roadmap to 2021-22 season

Cricket Victoria has released its roadmap to the 2021-22 season, revealing when clubs statewide can expect to take the field.

Vic Premier Cricket grand final for 2020-21. Prahran v Dandenong. Jack Fowler bowling for Dandenong. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Metropolitan and regional cricket competitions can expect to take the field no later than mid-November following a roadmap released by Cricket Victoria.

CV declared that matches will be permitted from the state’s 80 per cent double dose COVID vaccine target being reached – estimated by the state government to be November 5.

But CV recommended all competitions consider their round one fixtures to be staged on the weekend of November 13 and 14 – the weekend following the Melbourne Cup, adding that only one-day or T20 matches be played.

Upon reaching the 80 per cent target, training would be permitted with no group size limits, spectators would be allowed to a limit of up to 500 outdoors and 150 for indoors, along with change rooms, social rooms and canteens all open in line with density rules.

“The vaccination trigger targets are the critical milestones, not the estimated dates … cricket matches cannot start until at least after we reach 80% double dose vaccination,” Cricket Victoria said in the document.

Jack Rudd batting for Fitzroy-Doncaster. Picture: Valeriu Campan

CV said it was wary of delaying the season too far.

“Given the season delay, the potential for localised lockdowns and the expected wetter than normal summer ahead, delaying the season too far will further erode the chance of maximising the number of matches played yet this date should allow adequate notice for confirming the season start after reaching the 80% double dose target,” CV said.

“For most comps, a November 13/14 start will allow 14 rounds that sees everyone playing each opponent home and away throughout the year before March finals.”

CV acknowledged that travel limits and delays to training presented major hurdles to metro clubs and were “far from ideal preparation” for the season, but noted “all clubs are in similar situations”.

With 80 per cent single dose vaccination expected in the coming days, CV confirmed organised training for regional clubs would be permitted with no group size limit, but smaller groups were recommended.

No spectators would be allowed, club rooms would be closed with the exception of toilet access, and no matches against other clubs would be permitted.

For metro clubs, the 80 per cent single dose target would allow the use of cricket nets and ovals in groups of five – if all are vaccinated.

The 70 per cent double dose target (estimated October 26) would allow unrestricted numbers on organised training for metro and regional clubs – with spectators only allowed at regional venues to a limit of 100.

“This ramps up (for metro clubs) to attending club organised training sessions from 70% double dose targets around the end of October and allowing for multiple training sessions before round one,” CV said.

The Woolworths Cricket Blast program would be permitted to commence in regional Victoria, in line with density limits, but CV “highly recommended” it start after the 80 per cent double dose target is reached.

No spectators would be allowed for metro clubs upon 70 per cent double dose reached, club rooms would remain closed excepting toilet access, and matches against other clubs would not be permitted for regional and metro clubs.