Fans and players eagerly anticipating the start of a new-look McDonald's Megahit season have to wait a little longer for play to begin after the surface at No. 1 Oval was ruled not yet ready for play.
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The playing surface was replaced during winter as part of the redevelopment of the entire Victoria Park facility, but with weather slightly cooler than many were expecting recently the grass in the outfield is not yet at the level needed.
The McDonald's Megahit Twenty20 competition, played under lights on Fridays, was due to start this week but round one has now been pushed back to November 20.
"It just needs a bit more time for the grass to grow," Dubbo District Cricket Association president Jeff Shanks said.
"We want it to be the best spectacle it can be. It just hasn't been the best growing conditions for the grass and it's been a bit cooler and not a typical Dubbo spring.
"We've pushed it back a couple of weeks and now there will be a few more double-headers."
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Shanks stated there was no chance of Megahit matches being abandoned, even if there start of the competition was to be pushed back again.
He also confirmed more double-headers won't stop junior matches from being played at No. 1 Oval prior to Megahit games in the New Year.
One thing Shanks is certain of is this season's Megahit entertaining.
After dwindling crowd numbers and a number of clubs regularly not featuring their top players in the competition, the Megahit is now part of the RSL-Whitney Cup competition.
Points accrued on a Friday night can therefore have a major impact on the first grade ladder.
"Sides will be stronger than they've been because there's more on the line," Shanks said.
"You're playing for 15 Whitney Cup points, essentially, and that can really upset the apple cart.
"Bigger hitters could come in front second grade to assist so it should make better and more entertaining cricket."
No. 1 was also due to start hosting regular Saturday matches from this week but it too has been pushed back to later this month.
While there may be some conjecture about No. 1 Oval, Shanks hasn't received any complaints about the new Pavans Oval turf ground.
Located near the Lady Cutler fields, the ground has earned positive reviews and could be hosting first grade games sooner rather than later.
"It's going really well. It's going to be better when there's shade and things like that for people," Shanks said.
"There's been a lot of positive feedback and some first grade sides have been asking about it."