The MPCA looks at a November 14 hit off
With cricket given the green light to commence, the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association has a preferred season starting date in mind. Is it too soon? Club captains, coaches and presidents have their say.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Let’s get the season started.
That’s the general consensus among coaches, captains and presidents in the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association after cricket training and matches were given the green light to commence in Melbourne.
MPCA general manager Ian Benson said the opening game of the season was still planned for November 14, although association officials would discuss it on Tuesday night.
“We’ve still got the 14th (of November),’’ Benson said on Tuesday morning.
“We have a board meeting tonight so we will discuss it then.’’
Clubs will finally be able to train together this week, with some starting on Wednesday afternoon.
Sorrento captain Bobby Wilson supports a November 14 season start.
“I think sooner the better — let’s get back into it,’’ he said.
“It gives us about five training sessions and maybe a practice match. I think that’s plenty to be honest. Pre-seasons are probably too long as it is.’’
But Mt Eliza captain-coach Tom Baron said a mid-November start was “a little too soon’’ and hoped the starting date would be pushed back a week or two to give players more time to prepare.
“I don’t think that works, personally,’’ Baron said.
“You’re going to have bowlers running in off essentially two weeks of training.
“I understand. I’m excited to get it going but at the same time I think it’s a little too soon. Everyone’s in the same boat, that’s the best part about it (but) a lot of bowlers will be underdone.’’
Baxter coach Adeel Hussain supported a November 14 hit off and said most senior players should have a level of fitness by now.
“We’ve lost so much time over the last seven months, if people have not been doing the basics as in keeping themselves in shape knowing there is a cricket season coming then that’s their own doing,’’ he said.
“I think it’s best to start straight away.’’
Somerville coach Jason Nagel said he was “unsure’’ of the best starting date, but said a return to training would help people’s mental health.
“Getting people outside doing stuff again will be important,’’ he said.
“I’m just working on the theory whatever they throw at us every club is in the same boat.
“We’ve been pretty prepared and have been doing our pairs training for a while now.
Flinders president Dwayne Field said the sooner cricket started the better.
“Without even a ball being bowled there’s been that much work involved,’’ he said.
“All these meetings…I’m glad we’re starting because hopefully I don’t have to be in all these meetings anymore.
“I think once we get going we’ll be right. Make a start and get to Christmas and hopefully things will change a bit.’’
The MPCA is set to release the 2020-21 fixture this week.
It’s likely to consist of 14 rounds of one-day games, with a red ball (and white clothes) to be used in the first seven games and a white ball (and coloured clothing) in the last seven, and also in finals.
MORE MPCA CRICKET
THE MPCA'S BIGGEST RECRUITS FOR SEASON 2020-21
HISTORIC GRAYDENS RD PAVILION DEMOLISHED