Rainbow were forced into recess before the start of the 2016-17 season and association president Jeff Muller said they will not be back in action this season.

“It’s always hard to come back once you miss a season,” he said.

“The club had hoped that it would be able to come back this season but they haven’t managed to secure the required numbers.”

The reduced number of teams saw the competition take an extended break from early November until February last season.

Muller said the association had received feedback from clubs that the break had been too long.

“Every team will play each other in an extra one day fixture this season so we will have three extra rounds,” he said.

“We are also returning to 40 overs a side for the one day fixtures and increasing the overs from 60 to 70 in the two day fixtures.

“We had lowered them in the hope of getting more younger cricketers to commit but the more seasoned players didn’t think we were playing enough.”

Rounds four, eight and nine have been set aside for the association’s two-day fixtures.

The association will have a two month mid-season break after round seven.

Round one will see teams take to the field in one day fixtures on Saturday.

Defending champions Jeparit will host Nhill while Winiam will take on Kiata at Winiam to get the season underway.

Jeparit v Nhill at Jeparit

Winiam v Kiata at Winiam

Winiam v Jeparit at Winiam

Kiata v Nhill at Kiata (college oval)

Winiam v Nhill at Winiam

Jeparit v Kiata at Jeparit

Nhill v Kiata at Nhill (Davis park)

Jeparit v Winiam at Jeparit

Jeparit v Nhill at Jeparit

Winiam v Kiata at Winiam

Jeparit v Kiata at Jeparit

Winiam v Nhill at Winiam

Winiam v Jeparit at Winiam

Kiata v Nhill at Kiata (college oval)

Nhill v Jeparit at Nhill (Davis park)

Kiata v Winiam at Kiata (college oval)

Kiata v Jeparit at Kiata (college oval)

Nhill v Winiam at Nhill (Davis park)

1st v 2^nd at Davis Park