University captain Mitchell Hearn has declared his side will be ready to defend their title if the upcoming cricket season commences with the Twenty20 competition.
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With coronavirus likely to result in the winter football season running into October, and possibly even November, Cricket Illawarra has considered a number of options to negotiate the sporting logjam and ground shortage.
The playing of Twenty20 matches throughout October is the likely outcome, a move that allows multiple games to be played at the one venue throughout the day.
It is yet to be decided if finals will be played immediately after the round games or held over until their usual January date.
University took out the short-form trophy last summer and Hearn said they will be ready to defend the crown no matter when the competition takes place.
"Twenty20s could be a good way to start the season," Hearn said. "We can focus on the short-form before the main competition.
"Our guys aren't really affected by a delayed footy season, cricket is the main sport for all the guys, so that wouldn't affect us.
"I'd be happy with any way they set up the season, as long as we get to play."
Cricket Illawarra administrator Glenn Bridge has spent the past month working with council and other sporting codes to ensure a suitable solution is found for the likely crossover period.
While the cricket season is likely to start in late September, it is understood the football codes can continue to use those grounds until October 26.
The AFL South Coast grand final can be played as late as October 17 on North Dalton Park.
While he acknowledged a number of issues still need to be worked through, Bridge is confident all sports will complete their seasons.
"The sporting organisations have been working together to ensure everyone's happy," Bridge said.
"What started with Ann-Marie (Balliano) at Football South Coast now includes councils, so we're all aware what's going on.
"All sporting groups know they're safe with cricket, we've given them leeway so they can keep going with a shortened season.
"It's the logical thing to do for us, play Twenty20 matches at the start when we have limited fields. That's the way it's likely to go."
Starting the season with the Twenty20 competition would allow teams to focus purely on the shortest format before they turn their attention to the main prize, the two-day premiership.
Balgownie captain and president Jamie Fleming endorsed the move and expressed his club's long-held desire to restructure the Twenty20 competition.
"It's better that way," Fleming said. "We're better off grouping them together.
"The last couple of years we've had games spread out, games over Christmas and New Years when players aren't available, it's difficult.
"Bally has supported revamping that competition for a while, so playing it together at the start is a great idea."
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