Heavy, ongoing rains have softened the pitch at Bradman Oval, but not the excitement of emergency service cricket teams.

The 2017 Triple Zero Cricket Challenge won’t go ahead on April 4 – but the committee looks forward to holding this year’s charity cricket match in October.

Bowral Police Inspector and Triple Zero Cricket Challenge committee member John Klepczarek said aside from inclement weather, safety was also a concern.

“Although it’s an easygoing game with a bit of friendly rivalry, we do need to make sure all of our emergency service people aren’t at risk of being injured,” he said.

“They still need to be able to respond to the calls of the good people of the Highlands.”

The committee met on March 30 to assess the pitch conditions, after more than a week of on-and-off rain in Bowral.

After much discussion, the committee – which includes Bradman cricket officer Jock McIllhatton – decided it would be best to postpone the event to October, with the exact date to be confirmed in coming months.

“A big component of this year’s event was the inclusion of each emergency service’s educational aspects,” Inspector Klepczarek said.

“The firies have their smoke house and there will be lots of interactive platforms and vehicles for community members, primary school students and high school students to engage with.”

Schools that had committed to attend the Triple Zero game will be notified of the date change, and will be invited to attend in October.