Matches revert to one-dayers

A HOST of GCA matches will revert back to one-dayers this weekend following a rain-affected round of cricket.

The GCA yesterday confirmed that teams that were unable to take the field in twoday matches last Saturday would resume in one-day fixtures.

The games that have been reverted to one-dayers are: Lara v North Geelong (1sts, 2nds and 4ths); Newtown & Chilwell v Geelong City (1sts and 2nds); Leopold v Bell Post Hill (1sts and 2nds); East Belmont v St Joseph’s (1sts, 2nds and 3rds); Newcomb & District v Bannockburn (1sts); Waurn Ponds Deakin v Alexander Thomson (2nds).

South Barwon and Grovedale — the only Division 1 first XI match to start last weekend — will continue as a two-day match, with the Swans in complete control.

GCA president Barry McFarlane moved to clarify the rules, confirming that the “50 per cent” rule was no longer in effect.

“The grounds committee may call off play in any section, only if all venues in that section are unfit for play on that day,” McFarlane said.

“So unless they say every- thing is off, it’s left up to the umpires and the captains to determine if the ground is fit for play.

“That’s why South Barwon and Grovedale got on. It’s not a huge square at South Barwon, so they have a cover that covers the entire square and most clubs don’t have that luxury.

“I think most of the wickets would have been all right, it’s just the surrounds were so wet and it wasn’t safe for a lot of games to be played.

“In the past you needed to have half the games get on, so three out of the five available, but that was changed a few years back. It’s been changed for quite some time now.”