DESPITE the prospect of the 2021-22 Sunraysia Cricket Association (SCA) cricket season being delayed by five weeks, clubs should expect to play most of the season, says a local cricket administrator.
SCA administrator John Keogh said most of the season will be played if “the government predictions for the roadmap hold true”.
Fixtures were scheduled to begin next Saturday for First and Second division teams; however, under the current COVID-19 roadmap for regional Victoria, the date for return to community sport is November 5, when the government anticipates 80 per cent of the 16 and over population to be vaccinated.
“If the season kicks off, either mid-October to early November as is forecast, then we’re in a good position to get most of our draw played,” Keogh said.
“We’ve adopted the approach that for the first four or five rounds, it’s really the same rules as if it was washed out or the heat rule applied. So it’s just abandoned games, rather than … doctor the draw each time (there’s an interruption).
“The only reason we would change the draw is if there’s going to be further extensions past what is forecast.
“We’ve continued dialogue and we’ve appointed one of our board members to maintain a weekly check of the NSW and Victorian government regulations.”
As per the NSW government “Roadmap to Freedom”, when NSW hits its 80 per cent double dose target, the government intends to “open up further freedoms” regarding community sport.
Estimates for reaching 80 per cent double dose vaccination vary, with Victoria predicted to reach the mark anywhere from November 11 to December 5, while NSW is predicted to reach the target by October 17 or 18.
Gol Gol coach Adam Thomson said despite the uncertainty about when the season would start, he felt confident the season would work out fine.
“It’ll give us a bit longer to prepare for the season. We have (players) who play footy as well. So (the delay) gives them a little bit of time off before they change over to cricket season,” he said.
“I think it’s probably a similar start time to what we had last year. So at least we should get most of the season in, which is a bonus.
“We’re just hopeful that we can get finals in and it doesn’t end up like the football season (where) finals didn’t get played,” he said.
