Cricket resumes in the Millicent/Naracoorte Association on Saturday after a break for the Australia Day holiday long weekend.
However, matches could be in jeopardy at the Mount Burr, Naracoorte and Kingston venues as temperatures are forecast to be well past 30 degrees.
This could trigger the association’s hot weather policy and the cancellation of games.
Come what may, a hot and dry summer has been a nightmare for bowlers as firm and fast outfields provide batsmen with extremely good value for their shots.
An exception is Mick and Jean Walker Oval at Mount Burr where a newly installed watering system has created a green oasis.
Despite the home ground advantage, sixth-placed Mount Burr are at long odds of lowering the colours of ladder leaders and reigning premiers Millicent Black Hats.
Most of the Mount Burr players did have a game of cricket on Sunday against the town’s footballers in a light-hearted 100 Ball Bash.
It was the sixth time the annual match has been played to honour the memory of popular Mount Burr sportsman Bryce Pollard who passed away from pancreatic cancer at the age of 30 in 2019.
Honorary curator Peter Henderson had the outfield in first-class condition and will have few spare moments in the coming two months.
It has been confirmed that Mount Burr will host a night match against Kalangadoo on April 5 to start the Mid South East Football League home and away season.
It is the third consecutive year the Mozzies have hosted a night football match.
Getting back to cricket, Mount Burr has shown some improvement over the course of the season but luck has not gone their way.
Millicent Black Hats are in good shape with the likes of teens Ryder Lindner and Cambell Hateley taking full advantage of the school holidays.
The pair have played in representative matches in Adelaide and elsewhere and carried that good form into the Millicent/Naracoorte Cricket Association.
Rendelsham makes the 200km return trip up the Southern Ports Highway to take on bottom-placed Kingston.
The possibility of a sea breeze off Lacepede Bay and the return to second place on the premiership table should inspire the visitors to bring their “A” game to the contest.
With second-placed Lucindale favoured to defeat fifth-placed Naracoorte Warriors at Wortley Oval, Rendelsham must win at the seaside.
The Naracoorte Townies have the bye.