Today, the ECB issued the following statement, in relation to the latest government advice on social distancing and the impact that this has on recreational cricket...
ECB Statement - released today at 5pm
Last night the government confirmed that groups of six can meet outside from Monday June 1, provided people from different households observe social distancing (staying 2m apart).
This applies to England, with the First Minister of Wales today announcing that people from two different households in the same local area can meet outside.
While this is good news, it is not an immediate ‘go’ for organised team sports. We are having discussions with Sport England and DCMS about what this means specifically for cricket, to then understand how we can support our clubs to initiate plans to get people back playing cricket.
Yesterday ECB published guidance for the professional domestic season, which will not restart before Aug 1.
Recreational cricket will work to a different timeline, but one that again will be guided by changes to Government advice. We continue to work with DCMS to see its phased return, and it is our hope that we can provide opportunities to play to everyone this summer.
For now, the recreational game remains suspended with no cricket to be played with the sole exception of in England, the ability to use outdoor cricket facilities (nets and pitches) for the purpose of undertaking exercise. You can access this guidance here.
Like all fans of cricket we wish to see our players from every part of the game, safely return to the field as soon as possible. With the brilliant spell of weather we have enjoyed lately, we too understand the immense frustration an absence of play is causing.
Thank you all for your patience, as we alongside everyone else in society, abide by the timelines we have been given by Government.
