Club cricket in the Western Cape could be cut by up to 50% as the Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) tries to heed the city's call to reduce water consumption in the face of the region's worst drought in over a century.
In an urgent meeting on Wednesday, WPCA cricket and local league committees discussed ideas on how to save water, and discussed a reduction of club fixtures, but did not agree on a specific number. A final decision will be made in the coming weeks.
Level 5 water restrictions are in place throughout the province and individuals have been instructed to use no more than 87 litres of water per person per day as the Cape battles lowering dam levels following a second winter with scant rainfall. Water rationing is on the horizon and all organisations have been asked to reduce water consumption as much as possible.
"The WPCA has already implemented practical steps to save water. One example was the grey-water usage by curators and all the club players at Blue Downs every week to maintain the oval, a practical, proactive measure," Nabeal Dien, WPCA CEO said. "Obviously we will consider reducing the club fixtures without knockout matches being impacted or players' need for recreational activities being adversely affected significantly."
The club cricket season has already begun but a revision to the fixtures may yet take place.