THE current Omicron wave has forced Melbourne Country Week to be cancelled yet again.

It is the second consecutive year COVID has forced the cancellation of the representative carnival with the Hamilton and District Cricket Association (HDCA) forced to sit out another campaign.

The decision was made this week with local associations also facing the prospect of cancelling or postponing games.

HDCA Hurricanes coach, Nic Cullinane said he acknowledged the decision given the current environment, but everyone involved was frustrated that another chance to compete in Melbourne had been cancelled.

“It is just disappointing and frustrating, because I felt we had a lot of momentum going with the best players in the comp making themselves available for it,” he said.

“We are still really keen for next year, but it is just the disappointment from the last two years

“These fellas are feeling like they have missed two years of their best cricket, I know they were really keen.”

With cases growing rapidly in the past few weeks, Cullinane said there were discussions had within the group about the situation and the decision was not a surprise.

“The writing was on the wall over the past week or two,” he said.

“There were definitely some players who were anxious about it and me included, I think the right decision has been made though, but it is still frustrating.”

The carnival was scheduled for February 14-18, but the side will still suit up for what is likely to be its last rep game for the season when it takes on Wimmera Mallee in Horsham on Sunday.

Cullinane said both associations were still keen to push on with the game at this stage.

“I think that will be our last rep game for this season,” he said.

“We are going in with a younger side, there are probably seven or eight players under 21 and it is just about giving them a game.”

A tentative side has been named for the clash, which includes Tobi Cook, Hamish Cook, Russell Elton, Lachy Watt, Anthony Read, Brandon Weatherson, Angus Harms, Ollie Wortley, Brendan Huf and Charles Murrie.