RELIEF AS RAINSFAILS TO AGAIN RUIN START
THE Geelong Cricket Association is preparing to finally begin its season after six false starts, with Thursday’s downpour not enough to rule a line through Saturday’s matches.
The Bureau of Meteorology predicted about 10mm of rain to fall on Thursday and multiple showers across Friday and Saturday, but Geelong only received about 6mm in the midweek downpour.
GCA vice-president Sam Hall said luck was finally on the competition’s side.
“All signs are pointing towards finally starting our season,” Hall said.
“The notice went out to clubs to cover the squares on Thursday morning and everyone made the effort to do that, so that’s why we’re in a pretty good position now.
“It was concerning when they originally predicted 10-20mm, so we got a bit lucky it wasn’t as bad.”
The GCA fixture had been redrawn twice to accommodate for the persistent wet weather, with two-day cricket scrapped for a third-straight season.
With heavy rainfall and flooding plaguing the early stages of the season, many grounds were out of action or completely under water, with South Barwon Cricket Club completely covered for more than a week.
Hall said he expected every game to go ahead, with minimal location changes predicted.
“I haven’t heard of any grounds not being available, our (North Geelong) fourths team may need to swap grounds but that’s still up in the air,” he said.
“There might be one or two that I don’t know about, but the impact will be minimal, I think everyone is pretty much ready to go.
“The way this season has panned out, everyone is desperate to play, so if grounds are right and we can get on then we will get on.
“No news is good news, everyone is pretty rapt because earlier in the week there would’ve been a few people worried we’re going to get called off again.”