SCORCHING temperatures look set to throw the region’s sport into chaos tomorrow with officials on the brink of abandoning a series of competitions.
With temperatures predicted to hit 42 degrees, Cricket Albury-Wodonga chairman Michael Erdeljac said yesterday senior matches could be cancelled for the first time since Black Saturday in 2009.
“We will make a call at 10am on Saturday,” Erdeljac said.
“If it’s 43 it will be off, but we have guidelines to follow if the temperature is forecast for 41 or 42.
“All we can do is assess the situation at the time and make an informed decision.
“Nothing will be decided before then.”
Wangaratta and District cricket officials will make a decision in the next 24 hours along with most country cricket competitions in the region.
The Ovens and Murray Bowls Association yesterday called off matches, with Albury and District a good chance of following its lead.
Albury Racing Club chief executive officer John Miller said he hoped tomorrow’s seven-race meeting would go ahead as planned but said the decision would rest with stewards and Racing NSW officials.
“Hopefully it doesn’t get as hot as they are saying,” Miller said.
“The main priority is the welfare of the horses and the jockeys and the wet bulb temperature is what they look at.
“We started a couple of years ago on Black Saturday but they pulled the pin after three or so races.”
Today’s races at Stawell have been abandoned due to the heat.