GCA calls off play

THE Geelong Cricket Association has defended its call to abandon today’s turf games, with officials taking a proactive stand ahead of a wet weekend.

All turf cricket was cancelled yesterday, with GCA1 and GCA3 matches reverting to one-day matches next Saturday, while GCA2 players can put up their feet until January 12 after the round of one-day games was canned.

GCA president Barry McFarlane said the grounds committee made the decision soon after 1pm yesterday to call off play after heavy rain lashed the region.

“The fact that the wickets have been covered since Wednesday, and almost no one has been able to get the covers off, a lot of the wickets will be under-prepared,” McFarlane said.

“There’s also rain forecast from five o’clock until 11 o’clock tonight (last night), so it was one of those decisions we had to make.

“Some will say we called it too earlier, others will be happy we called it a day beforehand. I’ve already had phone calls from clubs saying, ‘Don’t you think you’ve called it a bit early?’ But that’s the job of the grounds committee.

“They have to make a decision on what they have seen, and with the forecast for more rain today and tomorrow, I think they have made the right call.”

A number of grounds were under water on Wednesday and Thursday, with the covers coming off at some venues yesterday.

“If you’re going to call the game off in a two-day situation, it’s probably best to call it early because both sides get a fresh go at it next Saturday,” McFarlane said.

Victorian Premier Cricket is likely to go ahead, with the second day of two-day fixtures resuming this morning.

Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association action is also likely to go ahead.