The Murray Valley Cricket Association has had a change in format for the 2020-21 season.The MVCA previously announced that its NSW clubs, along with Goulburn Murray side Moama, would play T20 games from October 10, however with changes to border restrictions more alterations were made to the season.The T20 competition will now start on October 17, with Cobram, Deniliquin Rhinos, Katamatite, Barooga, Cobram-Yarroweyah United and Tocumwal all strapping on their pads in the intensive three-week competition, finishing October 31.Nathalia Cricket Club has decided to sit out the T20 competition to organise its side, according to MVCA president Anthony Holmes.He said Katunga had also chosen to sit out the early competition, decide whether they would make the leap to Premier division cricket or stay in the lower grade after winning the division one trophy last season.The MVCA also announced an early start for three division one sides, starting October 17. During the October T20 competition, Berrigan, Finley and Jerilderie will start the regular division one season early. Finley has been scheduled a home game on October 17 against Berrigan, with Jerilderie to be given the bye.Berrigan will then play Jerilderie at Berrigan on October 24, with Finley to be given the bye.Jerilderie will then host Finley on October 31, with Berrigan to be given the bye.Holmes said regular competitions would start for all divisions from November 7 with Finley, Berrigan and Jerilderie clubs being given byes during late November and December due to the harvest season.‘‘Berrigan initially expressed their interest to start the season early instead of joining the T20 season,’’ Holmes said.‘‘We put the question to the other clubs and Finley and Jerilderie were willing to join.‘‘All teams expressed they will be missing many players during the coming busy harvest months so we were happy to accommodate their early season start.’’Finley Cats president Matthew Whitty said his side was excited for a short-form format but it made more sense to start the season early.‘‘Many of our players have already advised of their future absence during harvest,’’ Whitty said.‘‘With two top senior sides in division one and two we would have struggled to field two teams during that time.‘‘We are, however, keen to get going and have been at the nets each week preparing for the season.‘‘We are hoping to get to the grand final for the third season in a row but there will be strong teams this season so there’s a lot of work to be done before then.’’
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