UPCOMING local cricket finals have been thrown into chaos by the coronavirus panic sweeping the world, with all three associations present in the Gawler area calling an end to the season,
Cricket Australia announced yesterday morning it was cancelling all cricket it has direct jurisdiction over, including the Sheffield Shield and Premier Cricket matches, around the nation.
The sport’s governing body also “strongly recommended” all local competitions call an end to their season.
The Para Districts Cricket Assocation (PDCA) and Adelaide Turf Cricket Association (ATCA) quickly followed CA’s lead and cancelled their semi-final and final matches, which were set to be held over the next two weeks, shortly after the announcement.
The Barossa and Light Cricket Association (B&LCA) announced the scrapping of its finals later on Tuesday afternoon, declaring the ladder leaders in each division premiers for 2019/20.
Trinity Old Scholars Cricket Club’s (TOSCC) B and C grades were set to contest their respective grade’s finals in the ATCA competition before the competition’s cancellation.
In all ATCA grades, the first placed side will be named premier and, along with second place, be promoted next season, with the bottom two sides relegated.
It means the TOSers’ B grade’s runner up spot will see it promoted to the A3 grade next year.
TOSCC vice-president Rob McLean said although the club was disappointed to see the season ended, it was proud to see its B grade reach a high level.
“It was a great opportunity for our B grade who came a long way this season after only having won the one game last season,” he said.
“We were a real good shot at the title, but it’s hard to go past what’s happening in society right now.
“The aim for our club is to play at the highest level we can all throughout our grades and to have our B grade in A3 is a really great opportunity to the club to really promote ourselves as a place to be and gain players.”
PDCA competitions will also see their ladder leaders named premier for the season.
In the B&LCA, Angaston Cricket Club topped the competition’s A1 ladder at the end of the season, only losing one game throughout the year, and were set to be joined by Gawler South, Tanunda and Nuriootpa cricket clubs in the major rounds.
In a statement sent to its member clubs, the B&LCA said it would be following the advice of CA and the South Australian Cricket Association.
“Furthermore, the planned presentation nights for juniors and seniors will also be cancelled,” the statement read.
“Award winners will be advised as soon as is practicable. With this in mind, it is recommended that Clubs follow similarly to cancel any upcoming functions or events they have planned.”
