The Western Cape’s ongoing drought will likely see the 2017-18 Western Province Cricket Association season reduced by approximately 480 fixtures.
Eager to oblige the City of Cape Town’s formal request to decrease the number of playing days and frequent use of fields, the WPCA local leagues committee has proposed about 150 matches across the premier league, first divisions A, B, C and D – and reserve divisions A and B – be adjusted.
The proposal has endorsed the reduction of the first divisions B, C and D – and reserve divisions A and B – to one-day cricket, largely due to the severe water shortage.
The recommendations, too, suggest the third division be reduced by about 350 matches. The proposal notes that the hefty reduction could be facilitated by the removal of third divisions D and E – and the increase of third divisions A, B and C to 32 teams, split into two groups, each.
The local leagues committee’s bid to comply with the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee’s geo-political boundaries, too, would see Brackenfell Cricket Club, Kraaifontein Cricket Club and Northdene Cricket Club – who are currently part of the Boland Cricket Board – join the WPCA third division.