Covid – 19 (Corona) Virus – Updated No 3

On Friday, 24th April 2020 ECB announced that there will be no professional cricket played in England and Wales until at least 1st July 2020 and suspension of recreational cricket remains until further notice.

ECB announcement, 24th April 2020.

As a league we need to plan for the eventuality that some cricket is played during this season. The executive committee discussed the potential issues and consider the options. Being positive about this unprecedented situation in all our lives with COVID 19 (Corona) virus, we need to consider the safety of the players and officials which is absolutely paramount and that we do not put sports before lives. We will continue to monitor the situation and work on advise passed down from ECB/YCB.

The options that we will put forward to our members clubs are as follows:

• To play at least a minimum of 9 games in Premier Section and 7 games in both Crescent and Star Sections.
• May need to consider a shorter format of the game in order to play 2 games with 4 teams sharing the ground on the same day, cost of ground would be shared and this will also address the issue where grounds may not be available due to Saturday clubs taking priority over their facilities.
• Consider playing shorter format of the game during midweek for the cup competition or even cancelling the competition for season 2020. If the cup competition does get the go ahead we can hold the final as the last game of the season.
• We aim to maintain the current fixtures but it will be necessary to move the 2nd part part of the season into July with a possibility of playing later in September 2020.
• Lastly we could see no recreational cricket being played this season as the government may continue to maintain some social distancing measure in place to save lives. If this is the case all club membership will be carried forward into season 2021.

As the situation changes we will continue to keep you informed and review the leagues strategy to ensuring wherever possible to play the game we all so love without putting lives at risk.

We are working with YCB to give members clubs advise as to how they can apply for loan/grant for any financial cost that meet their criteria to financially support them through this difficult period. The League’s Executive Finance Officer, Adil Mehmood has been working with YCB to establish some of the cost they will consider. We will share the information directly with clubs via email and support the application process (if required).