ECB Announces Postponement of Start of Domestic Cricket in The Country
The English cricket board has announced that they will be pushing back the start of the domestic season of cricket in the country, to August 1st. This is the second time that the ECB has announced a delay in the start of the season, due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The previous date for the start of professional cricket in England was July 1st. However this extension in lock-down does not affect international encounters, and the West Indies tour of England is currently expected to take place without hindrance.
The ECB is considering making several changes to the structure of its domestic circuit, to account for the lost time, because of the lock-down. A final call on these changes is expected to be announced in July.
Some of the changes being considered to include playing behind closed doors, and streaming domestic games via domestic club channels so that fans of different teams can watch these games. The ECB is also considering making regionalized groups for the 18 participating teams so that teams can take advantage of the shortened season. However, it is also possible that the ECB might further extend the lockdown if the situation does not improve.
A statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board said: “The ambition remains to host domestic men’s and women’s cricket” in the coming months, with the Professional Game Group in charge of outlining several options for how the 2020 season could play out.
It will present its ideas to the ECB board in June, with the idea of regionalized groups on the table in first-class cricket and some consideration being given to having a small number of fans in attendance. Streaming matches for viewers at home is also on the agenda.
The recreational game remains under suspension but the ECB will look to liaise with the government on an earlier return for junior cricket.
