WDCA facing wettest season ever
The regions weather has been less than ideal for the beginning of the WDCA season.
So far, just two rounds have been completed, as rain has played the villain across the past three weekends, After the inclement weather again took players off the park, at the Gazette, we thought we would take a dive into the history books to see when the last time a season of cricket was this interrupted by weather. Here’s what we found.
Not since the 2010/11 season have we seen the rain play such a big part before Christmas. Rounds three, four and five were all rain affected in that year, taking out plenty of results before the mid-season break, leaving players frustrated at not being able to take the field each week. Round 12 was then also washed out, making it one of the most rain rocked in the WDCA history. In one of the more bizarre stats you’ll see, ladder leaders Yarragon finished with more draws (seven) than matches won (six) in one of the most unusual seasons to date.
In the 2007/08 season, both round eight and nine fell victim to the heavens, as both yielded a handshake agreement before a ball was bowled. The following season in 2008/09, rain played havoc at the worst possible time. It started to pelt down during the semi-finals of that year after the first innings, with Hallora and Drouin the big losers as Warragul and Western Park were sent into the grand final on a countback. Warragul were ultimately crowned champions after rolling Western Park for just 99, winning by eight wickets.
The 2009/10 season started the same way as this 2019/20 season as well, two rounds in and a wash out, but unlike our season now, the ship was righted quickly, with the rain clearing allowing the season to progress through the Christmas break without a hitch.
Throughout the records, October was the most volatile month for cricketers, with spring showers and storms seemingly coming out of nowhere to spoil the party. Records also show that post-Christmas, the most rounds went ahead, which local cricketers will be hoping stays true for this season.
In 2014/15, the WDCA saw a full season for the first time in nearly a decade, with every game played without interruption. Drouin marched to the flag that year, while Yarragon star Gamini Kumara averaged an absurd 93.1 with the bat, taking full advantage of week to week cricket for his Panther side.
Overall, it’s been one of the wettest starts to a year in recent memory. With three games now already washed out and only two completed in five rounds, the competition has become even more tight at the top end. Now, wins towards the back end of the season will become the difference between making and missing the finals, so expect some high octane and aggressive cricket as we head toward the Christmas break and beyond.