Local cricket competitions still waiting but play could be in sight
The easing of State Government restrictions has given cricket clubs a date when players can start training for 2020-21. Although the new 25km rule may pose a problem.
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All cricket in Melbourne remains in a holding pattern, with Cricket Victoria confirming club training is not yet allowed.
Sunday’s State Government announcements about the easing of COVID-19 restrictions left many cricketers confused about when they could train.
But on Monday morning Cricket Victoria said players face another two weeks of waiting.
“Training can’t commence until after November 1,’’ Cricket Victoria competitions manager Darren Anderson said.
“However, there is a possibility it might get brought forward a week if all numbers go well.
“It’s fingers crossed sort of thing that we can get back and train — and that’s for juniors and seniors.’’
Anderson said Cricket Victoria would on Monday update its community cricket roadmap on its website.
Anderson said another rule that could stop cricket from starting was the new 25km rule.
“If that stays in place you are more than likely not going to be able to play cricket anyway because there will be people who live more than 25km away potentially from an opposition’s ground and they won’t be able to get there,’’ Anderson said.
Clubs have been urged to have practice matches to trial new protocols to deal with COVID-19.
Premier Cricket’s proposed start now looks like being December 5.
Cricket Victoria is stressing that playing cricket in a pandemic is a “privilege’’.
Many local clubs had planned to train this week.
Mt Eliza, in the Mornington Peninsula association, was set to go.
“We’re waiting for a bit of direction,’’ club president Tristan Faithfull said on Monday.
“Everyone’s keen to finally get into it but if we only get two weeks before round one that will be interesting.’’
Faithfull said the 25km rule would make play impossible.
“If that stays we can’t do seniors,’’ he said.
“You could probably sort something out with juniors but we can’t do seniors.
“We were thinking we’d be lucky to get a this side of Christmas start but we’re hopeful.’’
Frankston Peninsula president Cameron Wallace said his club had organized training for Tuesday night but that was now cancelled.
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