Working bee helps Merrivale Cricket Club advance new nets project

The Tigers had a working bee on Sunday after the state government announced groups of 10 could mingle outdoors.

Opening batsman Jeremy Burgess, who has stepped aside as co-captain, said the club hoped the upgraded facility would be ready for Warrnambool and District Cricket Association pre-season training.

"We were hoping to have it done by now but with everything going on at the moment, we haven't been able to get down there as much as we would've liked to get things done," he said.

"The latest (easing of) restrictions meant we were able to get down there in a smaller sort of group and get some work done."

The upgrades, kicked along via a $25,000 Cricket Australia grant, will include better run-up areas and space for wicket-keepers at the back of the nets.

"The nets hadn't been upgraded for 30 years, they've just had a bit of patchwork," Burgess said.

"We are building a completely new one and then upgrading one of the existing ones.

"The two new ones will have gates on them and be locked after training.

"We're keeping two of them just as they are and open to the public when we're not training."

Burgess said it was part of ongoing developments at Merrivale Recreation Reserve.

"We have good club rooms and the ground was upgraded last year with the irrigation and the lights," he said.

"Now to have the nets, it's going to be a very good facility down there for the players and hopefully some new players come along as well."

Burgess, who started The Man Walk to help men's mental health, said it returned last week too.

Those interested can meet at the pavilion in Warrnambool at 5.15pm on Wednesdays.

He said current restrictions of 10 people per outdoor gathering meant The Man Walk might split in groups and go different directions if it exceeded that number for the time being to ensure it was meeting state government guidelines.

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