ALL is looking good for Merbein South to take to the Sunraysia Cricket Association (SCA) fields this weekend following the club’s decision to pull all teams from competition last week due to COVID-19.
The Saints made the call last week to withdraw from all competitions for the first day of the delayed season after a case was detected at the club and members were awaiting test results.
Now club president Aaron Walder said everything was in place for the club to play this weekend, with First Division facing Gol Gol at Chaffey Park in Merbein.
“At this stage all is looking good and we should be right to play this weekend,” he said.
“We’re obviously keen to get out there and play. It’s been a bit of a longer wait for us but we just did what we had to do to keep community safety in mind.
“I’m really happy with how the club members responded last week. It wasn’t ideal but every did what they had to.”
Walder, who is also the Saints’ First Division captain, said he was looking forward to the new season and to build on the last campaign.
“There have been a few changes to the side, which has been necessary, as not winning any games doesn’t help anyone too much,” he said.
“Hopefully we’ll be competitive this season and take it up to some of the bigger teams.”
SCA president Mick Thomson said the Saints’ return to cricket was “good news”.
Thomson added that despite the rain surrounding Sunraysia, the first week of action, which was delayed almost a month due to Victorian COVID restrictions, came together well.
“Everything seemed to run really smoothly,” he said. “Everyone who I’ve talked to was just happy to be back playing cricket.
“The rain wasn’t ideal but the fact we could just get back to playing is the main thing.”
Merbein South’s return to cricket begins on Friday night in the Premier Women’s division when the Saints host reigning premiers Mildura West at Chaffey Park.
The matches will be one-day games played under two-day rules, but with innings of 40 overs.
