CLOUD OVER CRICKET SEASON START
FIXTURE RELEASED, BUT COVID-19 LEAVES CLOUD HANGING OVER SEASON’S START DATE
The summer of cricket is fast approaching in the Goulburn Valley.
But Goulburn Murray Cricket will be in a race against the clock to get its competition under way by the scheduled season opener on October 2 amid current regional COVID-19 restrictions.
The association has released its 2021-22 season fixture, with a decimated local football season providing an ominous backdrop for bat and ball preparations.
A-grade will start proceedings on Saturday, October 2, with B-grade to follow on October 9.
C and D-grade will start on October 16.
Notably, two-day cricket makes its return to the A grade schedule, following a season of one-day games last year in efforts to expedite a potentially COVID-affected campaign.
The league executive is committed to delivering a normal season of cricket despite the current sports climate and GMC operations manager James Stokes says it will hold to a dualformat season regardless of interruptions.
He admits the next few weeks will tell if a season delay is on the cards as the region grapples with a coronavirus outbreak.
“We decided back in April that we were going to try and have as close to a normal season as possible, regardless of interruptions,” Stokes said.
“Obviously, what happens in the next few weeks could see us vary on that.
“If we come out (of lockdown) around September 9 or thereabouts, we’ll still look to start on the second.
“Any later than that, as far as the executive go — we would have to go back to the clubs.
“If we don’t get out until around the 16th or 23rd, well that only gives you about a week to prep. That would then delay the start of our season.”
On the return of the longer format to the top tier, Stokes said it wouldn’t matter what happened going forward there would still be two-day cricket involved somewhere.
“If we start three weeks late, it will cost us three one-day games and we’ll still be playing two-day cricket,” he said.
Echuca Cricket Club will open its season against Bamawm-Lockington United before facing reigning A-grade premier Kyabram Fire Brigade in a much-anticipated grand final rematch in round two at Victoria Park.
In its quest for three straight A-grade women’s titles, Echuca will have to wait until round two to open its season against Shepparton United.
Echuca South travels to Gunbower Recreation Reserve in round one to tackle league new-comer Leitchville-Gunbower.
Across the Murray River, Moama Cricket Club will have a bye to open its A-grade campaign before hosting Bamawm-Lockington United at Moama Recreation Reserve in round two.