2020/2021 Mid North Coast Premier Cricket League season almost a washout

Only three rounds have been possible since the start of December due to a summer deluge that has ensured cricket grounds which 12 months ago were bone-dry, have resembled little more than a pond.

It's in stark contrast to the start of the summer when Wingham's Cedar Party Oval was deemed too unsafe to play on as a result of the after-effects of last summer's droughts and bushfires.

They were scheduled to return home the week before Christmas, but ironically had the fixture washed out.

"Wingham were very supportive of the competition with their ground having suffered at the hands of drought and bushfires," Mr Dilley said.

"It wasn't up to par so thankfully they have travelled week in, week out for the better part of the season."

COVID-19 health and safety precautions have impacted on cricket more so than a number of other sports with the use of saliva and/or sweat on the ball banned.

"There have been some challenging restrictions brought in and in the early stages the umpires were having to chip players for doing it," Mr Dilley said.

"It was almost a cultural type thing where players had to learn new habits."

The MNCCC are now in the process of asking for feedback from clubs as to how to improve the quality of the competition as well as the standard of cricket ahead of next season.

"The last two years have been challenging - we've had smoke, rain, COVID, drought and fires .... everything has been thrown in the mix," Mr Dilley said.

"We need to focus on making the game more enjoyable.

"If that means increasing the quality of grounds we have around - or the type of cricket being played - we want to seek players' input on how to improve the competition for next year."

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