By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
DANDENONG Panthers Cricket Club officials fear the club may have to forfeit home games for at least the next three weeks due to curator work bans.
Yesterday, Greater Dandenong Council ground curators announced they would stop preparing turf pitches as part of a pay dispute with their employer.
The curators’ union Australian Services Union has vowed to continue bans till October 23, unless the council improves its pay offer.
Panthers president Michael Findlay said the ban would make play impossible for the Premier League side’s first home fixture at Shepley Oval on Saturday.
He feared it would also effect a second home fixture for the Premier side, as well as the seconds, thirds, fourths side and Premier womens cricket teams over the next three weeks.
‘‘It puts us in breach of our commitments with Cricket Victoria to provide a suitable venue.
‘‘The opposition teams will be entitled to the points. It will only be by their good graces that we might be able to reschedule or find another venue.’’
Losing points for the Premier side’s first two home fixtures would put ‘‘us behind the eight-ball’’, Mr Findlay said.
‘‘We are still working hard to get into our season. This is not something we wanted to hear.’’
Cricket Victoria chief executive Tony Dodemaide said it was yet to be decided on whether the affected mens Premier Cricket games would be forfeits.
‘‘Premier Cricket is working closely with the club. There are obligations on the club’s part to supply grounds but there are circumstances outside the club’s control.’’
Dandenong District Cricket Association secretary Ray Nicholls said the association might move fixtures outside the Greater Dandenong muncipality to overcome the bans.
He said about a dozen DDCA venues would be out of action.
‘‘We’ve got a plan and if it’s agreed to by the clubs, we expect to complete round one.
‘‘However there are a number of games that have already started and can’t be shifted. If there hasn’t been a result in those games, they will be drawn.’’
He said curator bans were ‘‘unprecedented’’ in his 25 years with local cricket.
‘‘The council is quite apologetic. It’s unfortunate and there’s nothing we can do about it.’’
