Middlesex Cricket will kick off the men’s domestic season on 1st August with a short trip across London, when the club takes on Surrey at the Kia Oval, in the first of five four-day Bob Willis Trophy matches - a new first-class competition created to replace the County Championship this year.
With the competition regionalised this year, to ease travelling distances between grounds, Middlesex will, after starting against Surrey, take on Hampshire, Kent, Sussex and Essex in the South East group.
Two of Middlesex’s five matches will be played at home, against Hampshire between 8th and 11th August and against Sussex between 22nd and 25th August, with both fixtures being played at Radlett Cricket Club.
For the past four weeks Middlesex have been using Radlett as it’s elite training venue under stage one and stage two of the Government’s guidelines, with strict adherence to the Government’s COVID return to play protocol. The club are currently completing all the risk assessments and documentation required to meet stage three of the Government’s return to domestic cricket guidelines.
In accordance with Government guidelines, both of Middlesex’s home Bob Willis Trophy fixtures at Radlett will be played behind closed doors, without spectators.
Middlesex are hopeful that a return to Lord’s will be possible for the delayed Vitality Blast competition which is now scheduled for late August and September and have been working closely with Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) to explore all opportunities, as MCC continue to focus on their plans to remobilise Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Middlesex’s remaining two away fixtures will be played against Kent in Canterbury between 15th and 18th August and finally against Essex in Chelmsford between 6th and 9th September.
Middlesex Cricket’s Chief Executive Richard Goatley commented:
“In what is by far and away the most testing season we have experienced in this era, when there was so much doubt for large parts of the summer that we would even get to witness any cricket this year, we are thrilled to have finally reached the point where we can announce the fixtures of the first of two meaningful competitions.
“None of this could have been achieved without a huge amount of work from the England and Wales Cricket Board, who have worked tirelessly to get us to this point and to whom the game should be hugely thankful.
“Our thanks must also go to all at Radlett Cricket Club, who have, as always, proved what an exceptional club they are, in working closely with us to turn their beautiful club ground into a COVID safe venue that has met all Government guidelines to enable Middlesex to make a safe return to training and ultimately to playing cricket in August. Having passed every step of the government’s return to play guidelines at Radlett, it was the most sensible decision to opt to play our two four-day games there as well, and for that the club owes thanks to Lorraine Poole, the club’s designated COVID Officer, who has worked round the clock to ensure we have met some very testing guidelines and very challenging deadlines.
“We have also worked closely with our partners and landlords MCC, who continue to support Middlesex in all that we do and we remain hopeful that we will make a return to Lord’s later in the summer to compete in the Vitality Blast competition.
“One final thanks must go to our members, for their continued support and commitment to the club. Whilst we are unable to welcome them back to watch cricket live just yet, we look forward to providing them with an enhanced live streaming service for them to enjoy the action from the comfort and safety of their own living rooms.”
Middlesex 2020 Fixtures – Bob Willis Trophy
1st to 4th August vs Surrey at the Kia Oval
8th to 11th August vs Hampshire at Radlett Cricket Club
15th to 18th August vs Kent at Canterbury
22nd to 25th August vs Sussex at Radlett Cricket Club
6th to 9th September vs Essex at Chelmsford
