Premier Cricket and VTCA prepare for fixture changes after wild weather

Cricket competitions are preparing to make changes to their fixtures if Melbourne’s wet weather continues into next week.

Local cricket officials have reached a crossroads.

Melbourne’s wild weather has washed out the entire first month of the 2022-23 season and now changes are being made to fixtures to ensure as much cricket is played as possible.

Now they’re being forced to make changes to fixtures on the run.

On Thursday, Victorian Premier Cricket made the early decision to cancel the weekend’s action due to more rain across the metropolitan region.

Saturday was meant to be the start of two-day clashes across the competition, but those games have now been whittled down to one-dayers planned for next weekend, November 5.

Officials have also confirmed a double header weekend will take place on November 12 and 13 for First XI games only.

This will see teams play games that were scheduled for Round 1 played on the Saturday with Round 4 matches on Sunday.

The weekend of November 12 and 13 was originally scheduled to be played as a Saturday-Sunday two-day game.

Wet weather has delayed the start of the season. Picture: Mark Wilson

In an email to clubs, competition officials said the decision was made with the “intention of maximising match opportunities” after consultation with clubs and the Cricket Victoria High Performance team.

“We investigated the ability for Second XIs to play Round 4 on the Sunday, however there were several grounds which would have clashed with the Women’s Premier competition which made it unachievable to schedule these matches,” the email said.

Earlier, the Victorian Turf Cricket Association informed clubs that fixtures had been cancelled with many pondering when the season would get underway.

There are concerns with rain predicted throughout the duration of next week, wickets and grounds still might not be ready.

“With yet another frustrating week of wet weather — I am advising that all VTCA games for this weekend Saturday and Sunday have been called off,” the VTCA said in a letter to clubs.

“We understand how disappointing this is for clubs, players, officials etc. but please be patient.

“We will continue to touch base with clubs and ask for weekly updates on grounds (and) wickets.

“As far as fixtures go, moving forward we have a lot to consider, we will endeavour to keep clubs updated.

“Please enjoy your weekend, hopefully we will start to get some drying weather, so that we can get our season underway.”

Pitch covers have become an all too familiar site this season. Photo: Hamish Blair

The Eastern Cricket Association made its own decision to cancel all its turf games — for juniors and seniors — on Thursday.

The competition has now missed three games and another weekend of cancelled fixtures could force changes according to competition president Neil Dalrymple.

“We haven’t changed our fixture yet but it could come under consideration,” he said.

“We have a reserve day for our higher grades — turf and synthetic — which will probably be needed. We’re hoping there’s a chance we can finally get out there next week.”

Meanwhile, the Western Region Junior Cricket Association has gone as far as cancelling games scheduled up until next Wednesday due to “saturated ground conditions, council ground closures across the area, constant and persistent rain, with a forecast for more through this round”.

“We will monitor ground conditions and work closely with councils in the hope of kick starting our season next week,” a league statement said.