We all want to get moving towards getting the game on. It’s a tough time for everyone and there comes a point when some people have less patience than others with the rules that are laid out for us all to follow and that is understandable. Some will also have a different view of the risks involved compared to others, and therefore a different view as to the pace at which sporting activity can resume.
Nevertheless, whether it’s a national governing body, regional representative groups, leagues or clubs, the government have laid out a set of rules that they have asked everyone to comply with and that is what the game is duty bound to follow. Currently they have authorised groups of 6 to congregate in external public and private places. That could be 6 separate households, so when the number rises to above 20 separate households, that is when recreational cricket will be in a better position to proceed. So, whatever the ECB determine, howsoever regional representation is seen to be seeking the shortest route back, it is within the overall government guidance on the pandemic that all considerations need to be made.
Plans are being established for the return of the recreational game and they involve consideration of many points that would be necessary to work around to meet the necessary protocols for safety of everyone. The permission for professional domestic sports to be played behind closed doors from this week helps to concentrate thinking on when recreational games would be possible. Cricket has more social distancing than most sports but it is not exclusively distanced of course and risks associated with any return remain to be managed down. The level of testing being proposed for the return of international cricket as everyone will have seen by the elaborate arrangements being put in place for that and the likely similar arrangements for domestic professional cricket, give a sense of concern from the authorities around how they view resumption.
Durham Cricket Board will continue to update clubs and officials as it has done through its One Durham Cricket communications throughout the lockdown, written and delivered by Durham Cricket Board to also include information from the First Class County. As well as getting the game on, Graeme has spoken to every club to discuss their financial situation and offer support to secure and attract grants.
The ECB on behalf of Cricket Boards throughout the country including Durham, have been hugely influential in making the case for the commencement of the recreational game to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. It would be wrong of us to raise expectations of an imminent breakthrough on restarting recreational cricket soon, which we all exist for and want to see, but you can be assured that the case for resumption is being pressed at every opportunity. Circumstances may well see a quickening of the pace, who knows, but whatever happens will only happen in conjunction with the guidance provided by government.
As soon as we get any further information it will be circulated to clubs with some guidance as to what that means, and, the movement this week to gatherings of 6 households may well result in more meaningful practice and net sessions than the prior arrangements allowed, albeit under strict control conditions. ECB are clarifying the situation with government and are expected to issue some further update later this week.
Whatever happens will have the safety of all players, coaches, ground staff, and officials at its heart, and until we get more information it is important we hold the line by observing the current arrangements.
In the meantime we trust everyone is keeping safe and out of harms’ way, and we look forward to seeing our grounds being used for the purpose they are meant to be as soon as is practically possible.