NEWCASTLE District Cricket Association are eyeing off a return to No.1 Sportsground this season with T20 Summer Bash fixtures and the two-day grand final both on the agenda for 2021-2022.
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There have been no grade deciders or senior representative matches played at the venue, cricket's traditional home in Newcastle, during the previous two campaigns and upgrade works at the National Park facility are now nearing completion.
NDCA chairman Paul Marjoribanks said the initial signs were "encouraging" in terms of playing again at No.1 Sportsground next year.
"The wicket is now down and based on [Newcastle City] council advice it could be in play early 2022, possibly for T20 Summer Bash and then NDCA grade finals," Marjoribanks said.
"Obviously lockdowns and weather means that's subject to change, but nonetheless it's encouraging."
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Outside a sprinkling of lower grade games during 2019-20, No.1 Sportsground was last used almost 30 months ago for the first XI showdown between Toronto and Hamilton-Wickham in 2018-2019.
The Tom Locker Cup (limited overs) and T20 Summer Bash finals were also played at the same venue in 2018-19.
Since then deciders in the top grade, across all three formats, have moved to three different locations - Harker Oval, Waratah Oval and Passmore Oval.
No.1 Sportsground would unlikely be ready for this season's Tom Locker Cup final, which would feature the highest-ranked teams from each pool after five rounds of 40-over fixtures wrap up on November 6.
However, there's more chance of utilising the field later this campaign with T20 Summer Bash normally starting after Christmas and two-day finals series slated for March.
In terms of club commitments in 2021-2022, No.1 Sportsground has not been listed as the home ground of Newcastle City in the first-grade draw.
Marjoribanks said "club usage or Saturday cricket hasn't been decided yet".
City's matches after Christmas have been allocated to nearby Learmonth Park, which "will be out for a period while practice wickets are finished".
Use of No.1 will largely depend on when works finish and state of the wicket square.
The $5.8 million upgrade includes new pitches, turf, drainage, sight screens and oval fencing as well as additional seating and light towers.
In relation to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak and statewide lockdown extension to August 28, Marjoribanks hopes the 2021-2022 season will be able to start on time in October and relatively uninterrupted from winter codes.
"At this stage nothing official from winter football codes or local councils," he said.
"There are still a lot of unknowns but we are making all plans around the season commencing as scheduled.
"Last season there were some state guidelines put in place to assist the winter to summer sports transition, but nothing to date this season.
"Whilst being understanding of footy's position, there is a point where continuing or extending a season becomes challenging.
"Cricket had to cancel all semis and finals in 2020 and that is unfortunately something we are living with at the moment."
The men's competition is scheduled to start on October 9 with defending premiers Wests hosting Charlestown, runner-up Belmont at home to Stockton, Hamwicks up against Wallsend, University meeting Merewether, City visiting Toronto and Waratah-Mayfield away to Cardiff-Boolaroo.
The women's competition begins slightly earlier, getting underway on Wednesday, October 6.
Newcastle's representative squads have yet to be released.
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