The Victorian Turf Cricket Association’s Senior division grand final was thrown into disarray at the weekend when the first two days of the four‐day match were abandoned.
South Caulfield and Greenvale Kangaroos were left on the sidelines on Saturday when the pitch at Spotswood’s Donald McLean Reserve was not up to playing standard.
Greenvale Kangaroos’ captain Jonathan Kent said rain on Thursday night had got onto the pitch and it was still wet on the weekend.
“Unfortunately, it wasn’t covered on Thursday night and on Saturday you could still put your thumb into the pitch,” he said.
“We probably could have had a delayed start on Sunday. The field around the wicket was still wet but it could have been dried out.”
Kent said the two sides thought it was better to just play a two‐day match instead of one side getting a distinct advantage.
“Whoever won the toss would have an advantage and could take control of the match,” he said.
“It will now be 80 overs a side, which is what we play during the season. I think it’s a lot fairer option than being decided by a coin toss.”
Kent said his side had a hit in the nets on both days and made it down to see some of the club’s other sides in finals action.
In a statement on the Association’s Facebook page on Monday, association president Steve McNamara said the senior grand final would remain at Spotswood.
There had been talk about moving the game.
“After discussion with representatives from both competing clubs, umpires and those from Spotswood CC the board can confirm the game will remain at Spotswood next weekend as scheduled.
“Spotswood have agreed to some parameters which must be adhered to, thus ensuring the game gets underway as scheduled on Saturday.”
McNamara said the association’s executive agreed with the decision not to play on Sunday which would have given one side an unfair advantage.
“Whilst the VTCA and Spotswood acknowledge mistakes were made in the preparation of the wicket and ground prior to the weekend, we believe play could have proceeded on Sunday but for a later start, which could then have disadvantaged one of the teams, a fact the VTCA wholeheartedly agree with.”
In a further blow for the VTCA, Westmeadows’s Willowbrook Reserve was also unplayable, meaning the north A1 grand final didn’t get underway either.
The match between St Albans and Taylors Lakes will also be a two‐day match and will be moved to a different location yet to be decided.
