BDCA 2023: BDCA first grade action returns, although T20 finals reshuffled due to rep selection concerns

Action across all grades of the Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association will return this Saturday, however the past few days have been anything but easy for the association.

Despite basking in the glory of the BDCA 1st XI claiming consecutive A-Section titles at the Alcohol Think Again Senior Country Week Championships last Friday in Perth, association officials have been forced to deal with an unfortunate schedule clash.

Initially, club T20 finals matches were due to be held on Sunday at both the Eaton Sports Ground and Forrest Park, while the BDCA’s 1st XI would be in Albany taking on the Whalers — who they beat in the A-Section grand final last week — in the final round of the Belt Up Country Cup.

The South Western Times understands multiple players who were potentially in the mix for BDCA selection against Albany expressed their preference to play T20 cricket for their clubs.

In response, the BDCA has elected to re-schedule all T20 finals, in order to avoid a schedule double-up.

“A decision has been made to shift this weekends T20 finals fixture until February 5,” a written statement on Wednesday said.

“The BDCA decided by playing this weekend and clashing with the Country Cup game in Albany, we could potentially be jeopardising our Country Cup campaign.

“We will be shuffling some junior fixtures around to make it work on the fifth and sorry for any inconvenience.”

In first grade action on Saturday, revenge will be on the mind of Eaton Bobtails players when they travel to Hay Park and face the Redbacks.

Bobtail players need little reminder of what happened last year when they played the Redbacks away from home — being rolled for 128 and putting in arguably their most disappointing performance of the season.

The defeat led to a large review amongst the playing group, and ultimately a grand final appearance against Colts, however you can be sure the boys from Pratt Road would prefer to take care of business without the pain.

Marist will also be keen to arrest their recent form slump when they lock horns with traditional rivals Colts at the Bunbury Recreation Ground.