Their return to the crease may be more than a month later than hoped but the start of the 2021-22 Shoalhaven District Cricket Association season is now just days away.
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The first ball of the new season will be bowled on Saturday, November 6 for the four senior grades - with the competition's junior contingent getting underway one week later.
The fact play is on the horizon, after an interrupted preparation due to COVID-19, comes as a relief to SDCA president Justin Weller.
"COVID has been a nightmare to try and organise for the upcoming season," Weller said.
"With the ever-changing situation, there were no dates we could work off until the start of October.
"Thankfully, we are back on the training paddock now and the season is starting next weekend."
The SDCA committee have had to deal with numerous challenges throughout the state's recent stay at home orders.
"Lockdown has been the biggest challenge with the uncertainty of not knowing when the season could start or if it was going to at all," Weller said.
"It has really put the clubs behind the eight ball to start the season, including one club who unfortunately won't be able to field any side at all this summer.
"The later start has also seen numerous players being reluctant to commit to the full season because they want to travel and have commitments such as weddings and family gatherings scheduled - as they were postponed due to COVID-19."
Despite all this, five teams - Berry-Shoalhaven Heads, Bomaderry, North Nowra-Cambewarra, Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemens and Ulladulla United - have still nominated for first grade, which is the same number as last season.
However, Weller admits his committee were hoping their premier competition would have at least six take the field.
"The SDCA is not happy with only five teams," he said.
"Unfortunately with Nowra not fielding a team and Batemans Bay losing a few players, neither were able to nominate for first grade.
"The goal is to be back to seven or eight first grade sides within the next two seasons.
"With COVID-19, we expected the numbers to be down from last year but thankfully, they aren't as low as we had predicted.
"We are developing plans to encourage old players to return and attract new ones to our competition in the coming years."
In round one of the season, which will entirely one-day fixtures (before the one-day and two-day finals on January 8 and March 26 respectively), Berry hosts Bomaderry and Ex-Servos take on Norths in a grand final replay - with United having the bye.
In the lower grades, seven, five and eight teams are nominated in second, third and fourth grades respectively.