Cricket takes back seat to footy final

By Paul Pickering
CRICKET has been put on the back-burner as a result of the AFL Grand Final replay this Saturday.
Local clubs taking part in the Premier Cricket, Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association and Dandenong and District Cricket Association will now begin their 2010-11 campaigns on Saturday 9 October.
Cricket Victoria moved swiftly to postpone the start of its elite competition after Saturday’s drawn AFL Grand Final, with chief executive Tony Dodemaide announcing that the delay might be a blessing in disguise for Premier clubs and curators.
Dodemaide said on Sunday that the decision to postpone the opening round of one-dayers until the follow-ing weekend would likely ensure better playing conditions.
Rounds one and two will now be played as back-to-back one-dayers.
“It is a pragmatic decision, recognising both the impact of the replayed grand final next Saturday, and also the extra breathing space for local clubs and councils to recover grounds to suitable condition for Premier Cricket after a particularly wet winter,” he said.
“Despite the extra onus of a full weekend of cricket, we believe on balance it is the best decision for the benefit of all.”
Casey-South Melbourne’s first-up clash with local rival Dandenong will now be played at Casey Fields on 9 October, followed by another home fixture against Fitzroy/Doncaster on the Sunday.
Curators at VSDCA and DDCA clubs were also in a battle against time to prepare their turf wickets for the opening round, but have now been afforded an extra week.
DDCA officials had already postponed play in all turf grades because of poor pitch conditions, with the notice going out to clubs last Thursday, 23 September.
Those fixtures will now be played on the same day as all senior synthetic and junior grades.
Endeavour Hills will begin its VSDCA campaign with a trip to Mount Waverley on the same day.
>>> Pick up next week’s News to see how your local DDCA and VSDCA clubs are shaping up for the summer.