Here’s what you need to know, after the remainder of the 2017-18 Western Province Cricket Association premier league, first, second, third and reserve division season was cancelled with immediate effect due to the ongoing drought in Cape Town.
1. Premier league and first division cricket might have continued
Two proposals were made prior to the cancellation of the entire 2017-18 WPCA club cricket season earlier this week. The first suggested premier league and first division A, B, C and D cricket continue, while second, third and reserve division competition end. The second recommended all club cricket – except the imminent Ama20 Competition finals – come to a close, which has since transpired.
2. No promotion, no demotion
No team, whatsoever, will be promoted or relegated. “We looked at all practicalities. We looked at trying to cramp the leagues into a shorter space of time. With the amount of rescheduled games that haven’t been played yet – and the fact that every team hasn’t each other, it’s difficult. We have information from Cricket South Africa that you cannot have promotion and relegation if each team hasn’t played each other. The decision, therefore, is no promotion or relegation,” said WPCA cricket services manager Clinton du Preez.
3. No representative at regional play-off or National Club Championship
Durbanville Cricket Club, despite topping the premier league standings, will not represent Western Province at the National Club Championship play-off. The winner of the South Western Districts Cricket or Boland Cricket premier league will represent the province at the Pretoria tournament in late April 2018. “After consultation with CSA, our current stance is that Western Province will forfeit its participation in the regional play-off for the National Club Championship,” said du Preez.
4. ‘Water monitors’ could be watching your club
The City of Cape Town has employed 50-plus so-called ‘water monitors’, who will be visiting cricket clubs to record potential overuse of borehole water. “In terms of Level 6B restrictions, outdoor usage of boreholes is strongly discouraged. Usage of groundwater for irrigation purposes is limited to a maximum of one hour on Tuesdays and Saturdays, before 9am or after 6pm,” a statement from the City reiterated on Friday.
5. Khayelitsha Cricket Club among the hardest hit
WPCA chief executive officer Nabeal Dien noted Bonteheuwel Cricket Club, Cravenby Cricket Club, Elsies River Cricket Club and Khayelitsha Cricket Club as among the most heavily affected by the drought. “It’s quite shocking at those clubs, where there is no field left – there is just sand with a pitch in the middle,” said Dien. Representatives from Glamorgan Cricket Club, Milnerton Cricket Club, Victoria Cricket Club and Western Province Cricket Club, meanwhile, will be part of a special committee formed to plan for the 2018-19 season, which will also likely be affected by the drought.
6. Your club might be a water collection point
The City of Cape Town has identified 30 municipal cricket fields, which will serve as water collection points when Day Zero arrives. Six of these fields are at Western Province Cricket Association premier league clubs – and eight at first division A clubs. The WPCA are not allowed to divulge the names of these clubs, yet.