HIT FOR SIX

Another washout as GCA cuts two-day matches in fixture switch

THE Geelong Cricket Association has moved to abandon Saturday’s turf and hard-wicket matches, while signalling another fixture change amid an unprecedented wet start to the season.

The GCA on Monday confirmed that a new fixture would start on November 12, with GCA1 and GCA2 washed out for six consecutive weeks, while GCA3, GCA4 and hardwicket competitions will endure a fifth-straight week on the sidelines.

GCA1 and GCA2 have shifted to exclusively one-day matches with each team playing each other twice, making it a third-straight season without two-day cricket played.

GCA vice president Sam Hall said the revised fixture was built to offer clubs the fairest possible draw while also giving grounds a chance to recover after persistent rain.

“It has been a really difficult start to the season, with five rounds of men’s cricket already abandoned and advice from our grounds committee that play would also be unlikely this weekend due to the existing state of grounds across Geelong and further rain forecast,” he said. “This leaves 15 available weekends to close out the home and away season, which would have allowed seven two-day matches and a single one-day match in GCA1 and 2.

“Further rain is forecast throughout November and it is the GCA Board’s belief that the ladder and finals series could be significantly compromised if, say only four or five results were actually achieved over the course of the season.”

After a month of washouts the GCA moved to revise the original fixture, allocating seven two-day matches and three one-day games.

The move drew criticism from clubs, but Hall stressed a majority had indicated they wanted the longer format to remain.

“When we revised the fixture last weekend, the majority of GCA1 and 2 clubs had previously advised that two-day cricket was their preferred format,” Hall said.

“However, further discussions have revealed a shift and we are acting on feedback provided over the weekend that these clubs are now in favour of proceeding with a season of one-day games.

“The extraordinary weather events that have persisted have been incredibly frustrating for players, club administrators, curators, the grounds committee and the men’s competition management committee,” Hall said. “We hope that this reset gives us the best opportunity to get the season underway and play cricket.”

The structure of finals has also changed, with the top two teams to play each other for a spot in the grand final.

The loser of that match would play the winner of a game between third and fourth the following week, with the victor earning a spot in the grand final.

GCA3 and GCA4 face no new changes after initially agreeing to move to one-day cricket at the last fixture shuffle.