The date for the cricket season?s start has been ?a moving target?.

This description by Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) official Neil Speight yesterday underlined the annual woes of getting grounds ready to host matches.

On Thursday, the BCB announced they were postponing tomorrow?s scheduled beginning of the 2004 season. While no reason was given in the statement it was widely known that several clubs were struggling to get their fields in top shape. Speight confirmed that to be the problem.

?We put the schedule out on the basis of representation from the clubs as to when they expect their fields to be ready and that has been a moving target.

?When you start from a situation where maybe six out of nine fields might be ready, then it goes down to four and then back up to six and then down to three, obviously the situation does change,? said Speight candidly adding ?fields that were supposedly available have become unavailable.?

St. David?s and defending champions Southampton Rangers were the only clubs who maintained they would have been totally prepared to use their fields tomorrow.

Bailey?s Bay and St. George?s had initially replied to the BCB in the affirmative but later said they would prefer another week before starting the season.

Western Stars and Devonshire Recreation Club were not ready while the BCB got no replies from Police and Somerset Bridge (White Hill).

?As far as we know only Western Stars will still not be ready next week. We have not got anything in writing from anybody but almost all the others have said they will be ready. The only grounds we?re waiting to hear from are Police and Somerset Bridge,? said Speight.

He disclosed that around 1.30 p.m. on Thursday it became clear there were not enough match venues to start the season and thus the ?target? was shifting again.

The week?s delay will cause some inconvenience with scheduling and some games may have to be played on Saturdays. The BCB hopes to get a revised schedule out by Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the BCB?s Technical Committee meet on Monday to iron out issues relating to the re-introduction of two-day cricket.

Thereafter, the Board should announce final decisions on a number of matters, including how promotion and relegation will be determined this season, given both limited-overs and two-day matches are being played.