By Mark Murray
THE Victorian Turf Cricket Association (VTCA) has delayed the start of its 2007–08 season.
The VTCA was scheduled to get under way last weekend, but the executive decided to take advantage of Thursday night’s rain and give the wickets another week to prepare.
The opening round will now be a one day fixture this Saturday, instead of the two-day format originally planned.
“You could say it hasn’t even really been pushed back because the season was scheduled to start with a two-day game on October 6 and 13,” VTCA secretary Peter Howarth said. “We didn’t play on Saturday because there were insufficient grounds ready due to late football seasons, not enough rain and councils doing grass works.
“If you have a look at the amount of rain we got Thursday night and Friday, it can only of helped the wickets.
“That was one of the considerations, that if we had of said we would make a decision on Saturday, clubs would have been obliged to put covers down.
“But if they did that, the squares wouldn’t have got valuable water. So we think it is going to help the season long-term.”
A total of 60 per cent of grounds were considered unfit for play last weekend.
The VTCA traditionally starts with a two-day fixture as it gives the option of delaying the start of the season by a week without affecting the fixture.
Round one matches will be played at the same venues as originally posted this week.
In the senior division, Yarraville Club meets Doutta, Old Essendon Grammar hosts Keilor, Altona North faces Youlden Parkville, and Spotswood takes on Royal Park/Brunswick.
“Everything will stay the same this week and we’re looking forward to a great summer,” Howarth said. “We had 60 per cent of the grounds probably not ready and the rain would have done them the world of good.”
