A WARRNAMBOOL and District Cricket Association captain-coach believes cricket could secure a short-term boost if football and netball are shelved due to COVID-19 restrictions.
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More than 60 per cent of readers, answering The Standard's online poll, joined West Warrnambool leader Alastair Templeton in suggesting more could turn to cricket in summer if football is unable to be played.
A total of 85 said cricket would benefit numbers-wise, while 55 disagreed.
Templeton said he'd expect more social players to flood cricket but said football pre-season would potentially deter a long-term numbers boost.
South Warrnambool forward Shannon Beks, who also plays cricket for Dennington, told The Main Break podcast he expected more footballers to join cricket clubs if the winter sport was unable to launch this week.
"I think there'd be some keeness to get around a group again and to get to a training session," he said.
"You have to remember footy pre-season kicks off in November so we might have a burst at the start. I reckon while guys might be keen for a bit of competition they'll be pretty keen to be touching footballs as well.
"It might be hard to sustain lads but those guys wanting to play more socially would definitely add something to clubs."
Templeton said his division one side mainly featured cricket-first athletes.
"There are a lot of footballers who are gun cricketers too," he said.
"But it's hard to get a bit of consistency and continuity (with football-first players). We've really focused on getting cricketers to our teams.
"It's hard relying on footballers and I'd imagine it's hard for footy clubs to rely on cricketers too.
"Everyone is just that bit time poor and with the sports becoming more demanding most people probably can only do one or two (sports) at the most."
The Hampden league will decide if it returns to play on June 10 while the Warrnambool and District league has earmarked June 24.
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