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Mornington will not field a first grade side in the Gunnedah cricket competition for two weeks due to a desperate player shortfall.
The sudden turn of the events came at an emergency meeting held last night by the Gunnedah Cricket Board.
At the meeting the board considered advice from Mornington Cricket Club that it would have difficulty fielding a first grade side consistently this season.
“The board has determined that in the next two first grade matches (October 25 and November 1) Mornington will not be required to field a side to allow the opportunity for the association to work with the club in bolstering its ranks."
- GDCA president Mike Silver
The board had been made aware earlier in the month of the challenges Mornington was facing with a significant number of senior first grade players from last season being unavailable, particularly early in the 2014-15 season.
“Mornington fielded a first grade side in the opening round of the season but indicated that they will struggle from this point on without the injection of a number of players” GDCA president Mike Silver said today.
“It is a requirement of the club cricket structure that clubs have teams in all grades.
“The board has determined that in the next two first grade matches (October 25 and November 1) Mornington will not be required to field a side to allow the opportunity for the association to work with the club in bolstering its ranks in order that at the start of round two on November 8, Mornington will be in a position to put a first grade side on the field.”
Gunnedah’s troublesome start with first grade this year is at odds with the difficulties faced by the association last season where third grade was disbanded before a match had even been played.
“We’re extremely strong in third grade this season,” Silver said.
“We’ve got 40-odd players.
“The recent developments are disappointing given the progress that has been made by the other three clubs in consolidating their playing strength and the reintroduction of third grade cricket this summer after not being played for three seasons.”
The third grade competition starts this Saturday at Donnelly Fields with all four clubs fielding sides in the 30-over per side matches.
Originally scheduled as a Super-8’s format, matches will now be played as 11-a-side due to the overwhelming interest and support from players and parents.