How cricket leaders are preparing for rainy forecasts

MAKING MOVES: Covers on the pitch at Allansford's Uebergang Oval. Picture: Morgan Hancock

BACK-UP hard wickets have been linked to division one matches as the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association wards off a third-straight week of wash outs.

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The association, who wants division one to be played solely on turf pitches, has been reluctant to move top-grade cricket to artificial grass.

But with up to 15 millimetres of rain forecast for Friday, division one could now be switched to hard wickets if turf pitches are decided unplayable.

We're doing everything we can and trying to put things in place to them more of a chance of playing.
- Gordon McLeod

If division one moves to hard wickets, division three will be bumped back to Sunday.

Division two will also follow to hard wickets.

Warrnambool and District Cricket Association chairman Gordon McLeod said clubs had been asked to cover both turf and hard wicket pitches as a precaution.

"Everyone wants to play cricket, and we don't want to be absolutely controlled by the weather," he said.

"We're doing everything we can and trying to put things in place to give them more of a chance of playing.

"It's just the pattern at the moment that the middle of the week is fine and the rain is falling on the weekends."

Brierly-Christ Church's Luke Wilson watches as stumps fall off. The Bulls will play Woodford at Jack Keane Oval and Bushfield Oval in the event of inclement weather. Picture: Morgan Hancock

For division one to move off turf pitches, three or more grounds must be deemed unplayable.

If the majority of pitches are playable, fixtures will go ahead as originally planned.

McLeod said it was likely there would be "some disruption to clubs" but hoped they understood the need to have cricket played.

"We've lost two rounds in the first five weeks and there's nine in the one-day competition," McLeod said.

"We need to get them out there."

A final decision on grounds will be made on Saturday morning.

HOW IT WILL WORK:

Wesley CBC Vs Allansford @ Walter Oval. BACK-UP GROUND: J.F.McLean Oval

West Warrnambool Vs Nestles @ Davidson Oval. BACK-UP GROUND: Wenborn Oval

Port Fairy Vs Merrivale @ Avery's Paddock. BACK-UP GROUND: JJ Colledge Oval

Russells Creek Vs Dennington @ Jetty Flat. BACK-UP GROUND: Mack Oval

Woodford Vs Brierly Christ Church @ Jack Keane Oval. BACK-UP GROUND: Bushfield Oval

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