South West cricketers robbed of home field advantage days before grand final after ‘senseless’ vandalism

A South West cricket club has been robbed of its home field advantage just days before the grand final in an act of “sheer stupidity” by “senseless” vandals.

The act has left Burekup Cricket Club’s synthetic cricket pitch with deep scars, leaving the club without a ground just days before the Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association second grade grand final.

Club president Rob Gray said his players had worked hard to secure a home pitch final, but it was now as torn up as their grounds.

“The players who have made the effort to get a home grand final have had that right taken from them in a act of sheer stupidity,” he said.

“This (grand final) would have been a community event.

“The Burekup team in the grand final at Burekup would have drawn good local support, but this act of vandalism means that game will now be played in Dardanup.”

Mr Grey said the entire carpet strip of the pitch will need to be removed and replaced.

He said this is not the first time the community oval has been vandalised, destroying the grounds which about one in 10 local residents were involved — in a town of just 700.

“Over the last four of five years, the ovals have been subject to several acts of vandalism,” Mr Gray said.

Shire of Dardanup president Tyrrell Gardiner said he was extremely disappointed for the club, who should be celebrating its grand final before the weekend.

“Vandalism affects communities across the region and council is committed to collaborating with the club and the community to safeguard these cherished public spaces,” he said.