Delayed start to season for Geelong Cricket Ground

GEELONG Cricket Club will be playing matches away from the Geelong Cricket Ground for the first half of the season while issues with the centre wicket are rectified.

Following works in April, officials have deemed the wicket levels to be higher than the recommended levels for play.

It had been expected the wicket table would return to the appropriate level with rolling ahead of the spring turf establishment and growth period, but this has proven not to be the case.

Special contractors are carrying out turf wicket table renewal works at the ground as quickly as possible.

City of Greater Geelong executive director city infrastructure James Stirton said it was unfortunate the wicket would not be ready for the start of the season on October 5.

“It had been expected that the wicket table would return to the appropriate level with rolling ahead of the spring turf establishment and growth period,” Mr Stirton said.

“Unfortunately, this has not proven to be the case. It means we’ve had no choice but to plan further works on the wicket table, which our contractor will carry out as soon as possible.

“We can appreciate this is very disappointing for Geelong Cricket Club.”

The works are fully funded by the city and are required every 20 years to maintain the wicket table to a regional level standard suitable for Premier Cricket.