The mercury is set to peak at 43 degrees on Saturday – higher than the 42 degrees last Saturday, when cricket was cancelled.

But Shanks said the DDCA did not even consider cancelling cricket again this week.

“Last week was driven by the fact that it was the seven consecutive days over 40,” he said. “The last seven days have been in the severe heat category.

“While Saturday will be in the extreme heat category, it’s only going to be hot for a short period, and it’s not been as extreme in the lead up to it.”

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The DDCA heat policy will be in place, with additional drinks breaks scheduled and players required to seek shade when they aren’t on the field.

“If someone’s showing signs of heat we get them water, ice, take them out of the game if need be,” Shanks said.

“We are pretty good at looking after each other.”

At the request of players, a number of Saturday’s games are expected to start at 9am.

But that’s not due to the heat – instead, players are keen to get the cricket out of the way so they can spend Australia Day with family and friends.

Friday’s McDonalds Megahit will be another double header, with the second-placed Bob Berry Blasters to take on the sixth-placed Christies Crackerjacks before the fourth-placed Rugby Liberty OneSteelers face the fifth-placed WPA Cougars.

It’s tight at the top of the Twenty20 competition, after match-up between the Amaroo Tigers (first) and Castlereagh Hornets (third) was recorded as a draw after the cancellation of last weekend’s fixtures.

Then on Saturday, RSL-Whitney Cup heavyweights Newtown (first with 55 points), RSL Colts (54 points) and CYMS (50) will take on Souths (10), Rugby (20) and Macquarie (23) respectively.

While upsets are certainly still on the cards, it’s likely the ability to claim bonus points will be all that can alter the ladder in round 11 and the penultimate one-day games.

Shanks said any games involving those top three teams in the coming weeks would be “very, very hotly contested”.

“Just given the fact that competition in first grade is so split, that will lead to those sides looking for bragging rights going into finals,” he said. “But they’re all well aware that nothing in the rest of the season matters once we get to the finals.”

MCDONALDS MEGAHIT at Victoria Park No 1 Oval