Two-day matches won't be played in the Bendigo District Cricket Association this summer.
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In a letter sent to BDCA clubs on Tuesday, the BDCA board advised clubs the 2020-21 season would not start until October 31 and that the board's preference was for one-day games to be played across the season.
BDCA president Travis Harling said Cricket Victoria's preference was for community leagues to play one-day games this summer because of uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
An October 31 starting date would allow the BDCA to fixture 18 home and away one-day games and a two-week finals series.
"The board acknowledges that things may change between now and October 31,'' Harling said in the letter sent to clubs.
"If conditions do change, the board must be flexible in its plans. A one-day format does give the association some flexibility if a third wave of COVID-19 reappears within the community.
"The later start provides the opportunity for players to train in the lead up to round one, but it also provides for a reasonable period of time for clubs and its volunteers to ensure they are fully complement with conditions for a return to play environment.
"Plenty of work must be undertaken to ensure our member clubs are able to commence the season safely both on and off the field. This is of the utmost importance in the board's decision making.
"The board will continue to work with Cricket Victoria staff, representatives of member clubs and staff at the City of Greater Bendigo to ensure everything that needs to be done for a safe start to our cricket season."
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The BDCA's Twenty20 competition will also be put on hold, while Harling said the league, in consultation with clubs, would consider changing the traditional final four format to a top five.
"At this stage the traditional two-day format games will be in recess for a season,'' Harling said.
"The association's Twenty20 competition will also be on hold for a season at this stage, but that's not to say we won't see the Twenty20 format during the season.
"Should we not start when we plan or need to stop after the season commences the introduction of a Twenty20 competition maybe the answer to a reduced window of opportunity to play.
"This would have to be the first time in history that so much uncertainty is around our cricket season and a start date.
"We must all remain flexible with our season and keep an open mind to the pandemic we are currently experiencing. People's health and safety is the priority out of all of this."
Harling said the length of matches for senior morning cricket - third XI and under-18s - was still to be determined.
The BDCA junior season and women's competition won't start until October 31 at the earliest and all matches will be a one-day format.
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