Several fixtures during the ongoing over-40 inter-provincial tournament in Port Elizabeth have been abandoned without a ball bowled.
Three of Wednesday’s four fixtures were not played due to wet pitches and outfields.
On Thursday, Border Over-40’s fixture against Titans Over-40 at Heatherbank Cricket Club was also abandoned.
Thursday’s match between Dolphins Over-40 and Boland Over-40 at Despatch Cricket Club was stopped after one delivery – and resumed and later.
Despatch Cricket Club.
“Can’t help but be disappointed – beautiful, sunny in Gqeberha, but not looking good for cricket at the IPT,” read a statement from Border Veterans Cricket on social media.
“After all players sacrificed time away from work, family and financially to be here, to get to these venues leave a lot to be desired.”
Former Border first-class cricketer Shaun Fourie added: “It’s an absolute disgrace. Teams have spent months saving and raising funds only to be let down by the local organising committee.
“They should be refunded, the venues have been an embarrassment to the cricket system and unfortunately the players have been let down. Not a great advert, I’m afraid, for the local advertising committee.”
Western Province Over-40 are the reigning tournament champions. They beat Easterns Over-40 in 2023’s inaugural final. The 2023 tournament was played in Johannesburg, at Old Edwardians Cricket Club, Wanderers Cricket Club and other venues.