COVID takes a back seat but weather continues cricket disruptions

LEONGATHA & District Cricket Association (LDCA) officials and clubs have been repeatedly challenged by the wet start to the season, which has enabled little onfield action to take place.
“It’s been testing trying to make decisions,” Association president John Schelling said.

“We cancel C Grade early to allow enough grounds to be available, and then hang on and hope.”

Unfortunately, those hopes have been completely dashed on a couple of occasions, with two of the opening four rounds completely obliterated.

Schelling praised the efforts of LDCA secretary Ken Scrimshaw who has been busy rejigging the fixture each week to try to make play possible, at least for the upper grades.

Scrimshaw no sooner comes up with a viable fixture, based on grounds that are in playable condition, when further rain wipes out too many venues to enable play.

After last season was put on hold until November, for Covid reasons, the 2022/23 campaign got underway on October 8.

However, C Grade players have been starved of action, those in B Grade have managed just one game in the opening four rounds, and A Grade cricketers have got on the park just a couple of times.
The president can’t recall such a weather-disrupted start to a season and is concerned about possible longer-term ramifications.

“The thing I fear is that people get used to doing something else with their weekends,” Schelling said.

That follows the challenges Covid has presented for sports organisations as they strive to encourage people to return after being forced out of action for a sustained period.

Most of the South Gippsland region has fared well compared to much of Victoria, escaping the extensive flooding problems that hit the north and central parts of the State and Melbourne suburbs, but persistent rain has rendered many cricket grounds unplayable.

While turf pitches have been prepared, they need the opportunity to dry out, Schelling said.

He noted the surrounds have been the bigger concern, given pitches can be covered.

The lack of action for young players is particularly disappointing for the Association and its clubs.

“We haven’t had a start to junior cricket yet, which is a bit distressing because all they want to do is play,” Schelling said.

He reflected on the weather challenges on Melbourne Cup Day, adopting a positive outlook despite rain continuing to fall.

“Hopefully, this weekend we’ll start getting into two-day games,” Schelling said.