Massive, fantastic news as recreational cricket is given the green light by the Government to return next weekend.
Baffling day. U-turns. Contradictions. Boris Johnson’s LBC interview labelling cricket teas and changing room problematic.
None of that matters now.
The result we all wanted is happening. Finally.
We are delighted that the UK Government have given their permission for recreational cricket to return from next weekend. We will shortly be publishing our approved guidelines to help clubs and players prepare for cricket’s return.
— England and Wales Cricket Board (@ECB_cricket) July 3, 2020
Next steps?
The England & Wales Cricket Board will release their guidelines in the coming days to allow clubs and players to start their 2020 season on Saturday 11 July!
Here on Cricket Yorkshire, I will pore over the details of those and aim to inform and help where I can.
Cricket clubs are already able to open as social clubs from 4 July but soon we can have actual games of cricket. Imagine that.
Key issues in club cricket
Let’s take a moment to celebrate. Because the real graft is just about to start.
The grassroots game faces enormous challenges ahead at every level.
Inspiring juniors to choose cricket. Encouraging members to get back to their local club and support it.
Persuading all those golfers to put their clubs down and take up a cricket bat instead!
Working out all the adaptations on and off the field there will undoubtedly be.
There are all manner of mountains to climb for the game in the coming weeks and months but they can be scaled; of that I am certain.
For now, let’s raise a glass (or a mug of tea) to the fact that recreational cricket is coming back. What bloody fantastic news.
Leave a comment below!
What does it mean to you, your team, club, league or community to have recreational cricket back?
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Just great and well overdue news.
Looking forward to a week tomorrow.
Hi John
Most clubs and leagues would really benefit from.an idiots guide to help us come to terms with the do’s and don’t of the said guidance as they emerge so that we can fully apply the safety measures for all as the summer game come back to life dotted across the country. Interesting how we cope manage the risk that the ball is a natural vector of the disease.
Let’s hope the British weather now plays its part, although rain stop play is just also quintessentially cricket.
Thanks from.Mount.Cricket Club
John. The devil is in the detail. I think that the next stage is Stage 4 of the roadmap. If that is the case its probably not League organised 11 a side cricket from 11th July.. My league will consult with clubs after the proposed ECB information is published this week ( hopefully) its a step in the right direction but we are not there yet.
Fantastic yet well overdue news for all lovers of the Sport of The Willow Goddess.
I envy all you folks, big ‘uns, little ‘uns, lads & lasses and even those unsure. Even if I was still in GB&NI health probs would prevent my participation. I can live with 24/7 pain but adjusting to life without wearin’ me whites on the weekend took some doing..
I really cannot fathom out why BJ was so reticent to give the go-ahead. Was he listening to so-called experts or clipping it off his own pads? Had we been a contact sport, like our soccer-playing cousins it would have made sense. Now if DT was at the con it may well have got ‘the village green light’ weeks ago.
Still better late than never. For me please folks make the most of it, bloody enjoy it, whether player, speccie, admin, tea-lady, scorer, ump, bugger it I say all of you. Play fair, don’t cheat, encourage your juniors and bask in the spirit of the game, do not diss the ump.
FINALLY – commiserations to ALL players who have dreamed and waited so long to get on that 22yard strip with a bat and get out for a DUCK – bummer!
At local league level I would think that not everyone will have been tested so how do you get round the problem of all the fielding side handling ball.
Fantastic news…Summer starts here.
Now we can all enjoy our wonderful game again.
Stay safe.