MPCA season to hit off on November 14
Here they are: all the dates, fixtures and proposed rule changes for the 2020-21 Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association season.
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The MPCA has finalized all dates for season 2020-21.
It will be a November 14 start — as long as the 25km rule is lifted, as is expected.
All games will be one-dayers.
Six games will be played before Christmas, with the last day of play before the break to be on December 19.
The competition will resume on January 9.
The last round of the season will be on February 27 — an earlier than normal finish allowing the association to have a couple of weeks “up their sleeve’’ in case of an unforeseen delay.
Semi-finals are scheduled for February 6, with grand final day on Saturday, February 13.
Fixtures have been released, with Provincial newcomer Red Hill to host Baxter on opening day.
Reigning champs Sorrento host the Will Crowder-captained Old Peninsula, with star recruits Justin Grant and Rhys Whitling.
Jayde Herrick will make his Langwarrin debut against Baden Powell at Lloyd Park.
In Peninsula, Pines, with Ricky Ramsdale back as skipper, will face District premiers Seaford Tigers, led by Jake Harrington.
For the first seven games — in firsts and seconds — players will wear whites and use a red ball.
They will revert to coloured clothing and white balls in the last seven rounds, and also in finals.
Clubs will be asked to approve several new rules for this COVID-shortened season, including extending play to 7.30pm to allow for the added time of implementing COVID-19 measures, including sanitizing the ball regularly.
In the firsts and seconds, rain-affected games can start after 3pm, with reduced overs.
MPCA clubs will begin training either this afternoon or on Thursday.
As per Cricket Victoria’s COVID-19 protocols, groups of 11 will hit the track.
The groups will shuttle between “rotation stations’’ in the nets, fitness and fielding, in 45-minute blocks.
Many players are not able to attend their clubs’ training because they live outside of the 25km limit.
Sorrento captain Bobby Wilson will train with his former club Moorooduc until restrictions are lifted, while Main Ridge champ Gareth Wyatt will join in training at Mt Eliza.
Fixtures:
Round 1 (Saturday, November 14):
Provincial: Langwarrin v Baden Powell, Mt Eliza v Mornington, Sorrento v Old Peninsula, Red Hill v Baxter.
Peninsula: Main Ridge v Somerville, Long Island v Heatherhill, Pines v Seaford Tigers, Flinders v Mooorooduc.
District: Hastings v Pearcedale, Carrum v Frankston YCW, Crib Point v Delacombe Park, Dromana v Rosebud.
Sub District: Skye v Tyabb, Tootgarook v Rye, Balnarring v Boneo, Mt Martha v Carrum Downs, Seaford v Ballam Park.
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