Regional Victorian cricket associations are discussing whether or not to proceed with this weekend's round, as growing COVID-19 case numbers leave clubs struggling to field teams.
The Bendigo District Cricket Association (BDCA) will not play this week amid the ongoing uncertainty.
The BDCA called a two-week pause on playing games when it became clear a significant number of players and coaches were either infected with COVID or isolating.
BDCA president Travis Harling said many clubs were unable to go back to training after the Christmas-New Year break, leading to the decision not to play for a few weeks.
The BDCA will decide on Thursday night if clubs will resume training and playing next week.
It is undecided if the missed rounds will be played at a later date.
"It would be pretty jam-packed if we still scheduled the full 18," he said.
Coming out of retirement
Last week, the Swan Hill and District Cricket Association cancelled a round due to rising COVID case numbers.
The club's president, Greg Cruickshank, said three clubs had told the association they would not be able field a team this week.
"One particular club that usually fields three senior teams and three junior teams have informed us they have eight positive cases … they don't know how many are isolating.
Mildura man Ken Innes came out of cricket retirement last weekend to help his local team struggling to field a side.
"I jumped at the chance," Mr Innes said.
It was the first game of cricket he'd played in 15 years.
"I think I played two games in 2006 and 2007."
He said it wasn't his greatest performance, but he enjoyed playing alongside his old cricket mate's sons.
"I think all the clubs are probably doing similar things, either getting 13-year-olds or 63-year-olds in to fill the gaps."
After the game, Mr Innes told his wife: "I think I could still play … except I can't run very fast or bend over very well."
The hardest season to plan
The Wangaratta District Cricket Association (WDCA) has a new policy requiring clubs to prioritise players for the highest-grade teams.
This means C grade teams will be the first to have their games cancelled if there are player shortages, across grades.
"In some ways this season is the hardest one," WDCA secretary Wayne Cooper said.
"In previous seasons we would have just been locked down and cricket would not have been on.
Mr Cooper said all the clubs were involved in the consultation, and everybody was determined to finish the season.
"It's an added pressure, but we have a policy for heat, a policy for wet weather and now I guess we have a policy for COVID. That's the best way to look at it," he said.
The league has also decided to cancel the T20 rounds that were scheduled for this weekend, as well as the upcoming final, as it was deemed too risky to have multiple teams in one place.
