The new cricket season will not get underway as planned this weekend.

In a single-sentence statement released late yesterday, Bermuda Cricket Board advised that all opening matches scheduled for Sunday had been postponed for a week (until May 9).

The Board offered no explanation for the delay, although it?s understood that several pitches are still not ready.

BCB official Neil Speight, hopeful that the season would begin on time, said earlier this week that St. David?s, St. George?s, Bailey?s Bay and Southampton Rangers had all indicated that their grounds were ready for play.

However, Somerset CC, White Hill Field, Western Stars Sports Club, Police and Devonshire Recreation Club were among those who had asked for more time to prepare their pitches following the recent conclusion of the soccer season.

A heavy schedule this year will see local teams competing in one and two-day league matches as well as Cup and Counties games. Bermuda will also play host to the Americas Cup, a qualifier for the ICC Trophym and send a team to the Inter Continental Cup in Canada.