Armidale District Cricket Association has shifted their season's start date back one week to November 6 to ensure a more organised commencement.
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Association president Mike Porter believes "everyone has been in limbo land" with lockdowns and restrictions and they just need more time to get ready.
"Also the wickets were not prepared to any great degree at this point in time," he said.
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"Basically we are just starting the same day as juniors.
"The juniors are having a kick off this weekend but just a soft start, a club day for all their different age groups and things and those sorts of things, then we will start the following week."
Some clubs are yet to determine lineups across the three senior grades but one club who has their ducks in order is Ex-Services.
John Elliot will resume his role as the top grade skipper and said they are coming together nicely.
"We have got all three grades this year and numbers are reasonable," he said.
"We are just worrying about whether we have got players on the paddock and making sure we are meeting all the vaccine requirements so we can play, hopefully, come round one.
"As far as first grade, it is pretty well the same.
"Without giving too much away there might a couple of new faces.
"Second grade are shaping up pretty well the same with a couple of other fellas in the mix too.
"A couple of new faces in second grade.
"Our third grade side will be pretty well the same as last season."
Armidale cricket will take on a different format this season with all grades playing a one day competition.
There will also be a Twenty20 competition from December through to January.
Elliot will also take on the role of representative coordinator for the Connolly Cup competition which also begins in November with an away trip to Moree.
Having been in the Connolly Cup squad for the last few seasons, Elliot has a fair idea of how he wants the team to shape up.
"The development of a few juniors with a few older heads showing what senior cricket is all about," he said.
"I would love to see Armidale back up in the mix in the top two in the rep comp in particular."
The role won't come without its challenges with rounding up players for every match which has proved difficult in the past.
"I think it is just part and parcel of the job," Elliot said.
"I am kind of looking forward to it.
"I am more than happy to go around to other club's trainings and touch base with players in person rather than just in a group chat sort of thing.
"I would just like to see a reasonable mix of quality players with a few young blokes in the mix too from all clubs.
"That is pretty much my main objective."
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