City United recruit Kerryn Ball remains an uncertain starter for Saturday’s first grade season opener with Kurri Weston yet to provide a clearance for the talented all-rounder.
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Ball was to captain Kurri Weston in 2015-2016, but during the past fortnight opted to leave and join last season’s minor premiers and runners-up.
However, without the appropriate paperwork from Kurri Weston, a club he has spent three of the past five seasons with including the previous two, he could miss City’s grand final replay with title holders Northern Suburbs at Robins Oval.
If the issue stays unresolved, Maitland and District Cricket Association could take action according to president Brian Hammonds.
“We have asked Kurri Weston for a please explain,” Hammonds said.
“The only reason to withhold a clearance is for financial reasons so it will be up to them to provide the information, otherwise we may be able to override and grant it.”
Kurri Weston president Rob Flanagan said the club’s committee was to meet on Tuesday to discuss the matter, which had disrupted his first grade side on the eve of the season.
“As a club, we are really disappointed that our captain abandoned ship before the start of the season,” Flanagan said.
“We have a meeting on Tuesday to work out what action needs to be taken because that was the first chance we had to all get together.”
City skipper Matt Trappel said he wanted the matter sorted before play in round one so Ball can take the field.
“Obviously, we are keen for a player of Kerryn’s quality to play and we will definitely try to push to make it happen first up because we have a grand final replay,” Trappel said.
“We are disappointed that the clearance hasn’t been granted already but we are still hopeful that he will play on Saturday.”
The clearance was sought a week ago on Saturday, October 3.
City are due to face Kurri the following weekend in round two.
Around the grounds in the other one-day encounters Kurri Weston, who will be led by Tyler Power once more, travel to meet Western Suburbs at Coronation Oval and Thornton Park will get their first look at English imports Matt Paciffico and Joylan May when they face a young Eastern Suburbs outfit at East Maitland Park.
Play starts at noon.
Raymond Terrace has the bye.
