East Warrnambool’s Jones Oval, the Dennington Recreation Reserve, and Port Fairy’s Avery’s Paddock are likely to be the only turf wickets in a fit state for division one competition this weekend.

The remaining division one and two one-day fixtures are set to be played on hard wickets due to heavy downpours which have slowed turf preparation.

Division three, which begins this weekend and is played exclusively on hard wickets, will be pushed back to Sunday for its opening round of season to ease pressure on ground availability.

Warrnambool and District Cricket Association chairman Gordon McLeod said the league hoped the remaining turf wickets would be ready for competition on Saturday week.

“We’re looking at whatever turf wickets are available, and Jones Oval, Avery’s Paddock and Dennington are said to be in good condition,” he said.

"I think the weekend after will be when the other (turf wicket) ovals will be up and going. We’re very keen to get them up and running.”

Just one round of WDCA cricket has been washed out this season, while the Grassmere Cricket Association has abandoned two rounds due to poor or unsafe playing conditions.

McLeod said the association made the decision to shift the opening round of division three from this Saturday to Sunday in an effort to ensure cricketers did not miss out.

“We want to give the more social cricketers a chance to play and we think playing on the Sunday will do that,” he said.

“The fixtures so far have been good. Weather wise, it hasn’t been a good start but what we’ve seen so far is encouraging for the rest of the season.

“The teams that have done well will be hoping to continue their form from the Twenty20 rounds into one-day cricket because the form will add up into the overall ladder.”

East Warrnambool vice president Dan Oakley said the club were fortunate to have the support of a curator who had the wicket in prime condition.

“It’s coming up well, there is some good grass coverage on there at the moment,” he said. “A week of sun will be great for it. I think it’s just about the best wicket in town, it’s always good to bat and bowl on.

"It was cut for the first time last Thursday and is looking really good at the moment.”