CORNWALL Cricket League officials are surveying clubs to find out what sort of cricket they would like to play over what is left of the season.
They announced late last week that the League season had been cancelled, but within hours of revealing that decision, Prime Minister Boris Johnson unexpectedly stated on Friday evening that Recreational ‘Step 4 Adapted Cricket’ could now be played from July 11.
Before the Prime Minister's announcement, the League had said in their initial statement: ’Many clubs would like us to arrange something, depending on what time is available when permission to play is granted.
’Clubs would also be allowed to organise their own fixtures instead, as several have indicated that they would prefer to do this. To give us time to formulate groups and matches, clubs would also be given the go-ahead to use the first week or two to play any ’warm-up’ games they can arrange.’
The League have now activated that plan.
The ECB has confirmed they will publish the Playing Guidance to allow ’competitive cricket matches with adjustments to respect hygiene and social distancing’ sometime this week.
The League are now conducting a follow-up survey to confirm clubs’ intent on participation, with a request for replies by July 13. In the first survey, only 54 per cent of clubs voted to play ‘Adapted Cricket’ in a structured group format.
The League will then formulate the groups and produce fixtures, ’hopefully to be published no later than July 18 to see matches played on July 25’.
That will allow eight Saturdays until September 12 for competition.
Clubs are encouraged to use July 11 and 18 for ‘pre-season’ warm-up matches.
It has emerged the League were one of the last in the country to formally cancel their regular season programme.