At Cumbria Cricket we are in regular contact with the ECB, especially in relation to a return to playing recreational cricket. In fact, we were part of an ECB Zoom meeting on Wednesday, where this was discussed.

Progress is being made, but as it currently stands, no team sports can be played. We respect government’s position and and are clear on where we are on the ECB Return to Recreational Cricket Roadmap.

The ECB is pulling together a 'playing cricket guidance document' to put to the The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), stating that cricket is the only team sport where social distancing can be achieved when playing the game. However, the government will be required to change their guidance on group numbers, and did announced this week that they are considering changes to their guidelines, which is encouraging. We are cautiously optimistic that we could return to cricket in July.

Therefore, Cumbria Cricket’s advice to clubs is to start to prepare for a return to playing and to move as close to a state of readiness for action as possible. No Club should feel any pressure to start small group sessions or 1:1’s if the guidelines cannot be met. But those that can should be thinking of:

Being open for practice in line with ECB guidelines for groups of 6 households (5 plus 1 coach if appropriate)
Making contact with all your players, junior and senior to confirm their participation
Groundstaff preparing their squares by cutting to a normal summer height
Looking out for regular updates from ECB, Cumbria Cricket and the local Leagues.
If there is a change in government guidelines, there will be communication from us and the ECB.

So, getting to a state of being ‘ready to go’, anticipating, but not guaranteeing a start in July would be a sensible move.

If any club is having difficulty in getting their ground ready for any reason, then please contact Bob (bob.simpson@cumbriacricket.co.uk) who will be happy to support and help.

We all want to see cricket being played in this great county soon,

With best wishes,

Arthur Brown,
Chairman, Cumbria Cricket Ltd