ADCA 2023-24: Favourable weather conditions help in preparation of turf wickets for new summer of cricket

Turf wickets with more grass than normal can be expected in the opening round of the Albany and Districts Cricket Association season on Saturday.

The 2023-24 A-grade competition will be contested between five clubs with Mt Barker coming in as reigning premiers and chasing a hat-trick of titles.

They are expected to face stiff opposition from rivals Royals while Collingwood Park have recruited well in their bid to improve on a preliminary final exit last season.

Manypeaks and Railways will both boast young squads in their bid to return to finals action this season.

The A-grade competition will consist of one-day and Twenty20 matches played on turf wickets in Albany.

City of Albany curator Brett Wolfe said good recent weather had led to good preparation on the wickets before the season starts.

“I’m really happy with how they are coming along,” he said.

“A drier and warmer spring has helped.

“The weather in late September and earlier October has been favourable.

“You can expect similar wickets but maybe a bit more grass on them this year which should give the seamers some more to work with.

“It’s exciting heading into a new season, there are a lot of international players here and a highlight is always the Southern Smash which gets bigger and bigger every year.”

In the opener round Park will take on Peaks at Turf North and the Bulls will clash with Railways at Turf South with both games starting at 12.30pm on Saturday.