It may be unlikely, outlandish even, but after Victoria was sent into a snap lockdown with 12 hours notice it is worth determining what would happen if the cricket season was abandoned.
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To preface, Horsham Cricket Association fully intends to resume its season this weekend, should COVID-19 restrictions allow, and no serious thought, whatsoever, has been given to pulling the pin on the competition.
But, for the benefit of all doomsday preppers and tin-foil hat enthusiasts, let's entertain the improbable.
Because now, thanks to new by-laws, there is an answer.
HCA ended its 2019-20 season on the eve of the semi-finals, on advice from Cricket Australia, as the virus first gripped the nation.
Placed in a lose-lose situation, the board members decided no premiers would be crowned for the two-day competitions.
"To call a team a premiership team in a watershed season where a ball hasn't been delivered in a finals match is not appropriate," the board justified at the time.
The decision drew mixed responses, with the board members even resigning in protest of "personal attacks" and "vitriol" they received.
Comments on the Mail-Times' Facebook page accused the association of neglecting its own by-laws and acting without logic.
"The blatant tribalism engaged by some clubs is disrespectful to the HCA and cricket in general. Comments made by some in direct messages and on social media are in poor taste. We only presume these are heat of the moment comments, but there has been no retraction, so that is for the HCA cricket world to judge," the board members said in a parting letter to clubs.
MAKING NEWS:
Their successors were determined not to let history repeat, and proposed new by-laws should a season be abandoned again. These were ratified at the end of October last year.
If the season is abandoned, for any reason, and 75 per cent of regular season games have been played, the team on top of the ladder will be awarded the premiership.
As it stands, Noradjuha-Toolondo will earn A Grade honours.
HCA only inched past that 75 per cent benchmark at the weekend. The round 12 games did not eventuate due to the lockdown, but each team was awarded three points as if the matches were abandoned due to extreme weather.
If less than 75 per cent of the season is completed, no premierships will be awarded.
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Matt Currill
Matt covers the Ballarat Football Netball League and cricket. Get in touch at matt.currill@thecourier.com.au
Matt covers the Ballarat Football Netball League and cricket. Get in touch at matt.currill@thecourier.com.au
