Cricket: Perth to get Josh Nicholas back for round two clash

AFTER a frustrating pre-season, spent largely indoors, the WACA Premier Cricket season was scheduled to commence on the weekend.

However, heavy rain on Saturday saw all of Perth’s fixtures against Joondalup abandoned.

With an eye to the future, Perth is looking to expose many of its young players to senior cricket this season.

The club’s junior program, headed up by Alan Singer, ran winter trials to capture talent in the district.

The only fixture completed was the colts under-21s match against a Country XI at Fletcher Park on Sunday afternoon.

Skipper Liam Guthrie lead from the front with four wickets but the target of 167 proved too much and Perth fell 43 runs short.

Kai Hickey top scored with 29.

Round two in the Premier Cricket sees one-day matches against Bayswater-Morley.

Perth made the semi-finals of the one-day format last season.

Perth’s Josh Nicholas has returned after being involved with the Western Warriors Matador BBQ’s Cup squad.

The first grade team will play at Hillcrest Reserve, play commencing 10.30am weather permitting.

South Perth’s game against Melville at Tompkins Park was also cancelled, heavy showers across the Perth metropolitan area on Saturday made playing conditions increasingly difficult.

All matches were due to start at 10.30am, however the WADCC Management Committee believed it was in the best interests of players to cancel all senior grades, under 5.7.4 of the WADCC General Rules.

The decision was based on the feedback on facilities given by majority of the clubs, with the impeding weather also taken into consideration.

All fixtures will be deemed a draw, leaving the competition even heading into round two next weekend.

Weather will be a continuing issue in the opening rounds, with every player’s safety a priority for the WADCC.