​Sir Jeremy Farrar, who sits on the government’s Scientific Advice Group for Emergencies (SAGE), has told The Cricketer that cricket's more distanced set-up gives it a better chance than many other sports of making a comeback.
Professional cricket’s intended July resumption is optimistic but both elite and recreational formats of the game are possible by August, according to one of the world's foremost infectious disease experts, writes Sam Morshead.
Sir Jeremy Farrar, who sits on the government's Scientific Advice Group for Emergencies (SAGE), has told The Cricketer that cricket’s more distanced set-up gives it a better chance than many other sports of making a comeback in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
However, Farrar said that there is little to no chance of crowds being permitted inside sporting venues in the United Kingdom until at least the start of 2021.
The government’s most recent advice on Covid-19 mentions June 1 as the target date for sporting events to begin to take place behind closed doors, while the ECB has postponed the start of the English season until at least July 1 and is planning an international summer which begins on July 8.
                                                                                  Wide-ranging
“As the numbers of new cases of COVID19 reduce – I hope over the coming weeks - and remain low, and there was really good monitoring in place of the players and others involved, you could start to think about going back to having professional cricket played,” Farrar said, as part of a wide-ranging investigation into the short and medium-term impact of the pandemic on cricket, published by The Cricketer. 
“Perhaps in August, I doubt if it will be possible in July, but you never know. I don’t think it’s impossible to put the logistics in place to allow you to do that.
“I think July 1 is optimistic for getting back. August 1 you could perhaps be in the position, with a lot of monitoring in place, to allow that to happen. But if you’re going to get professional sport back in action on August 1, you’re going to have to start planning now in terms of planning the logistics and training. You can’t just turn on professional sport overnight.”
The ECB are trying to schedule six Tests and six white-ball internationals in bio-secure bubbles - most likely the Ageas Bowl in Southampton and Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester - with all involved, from players to groundstaff to cameramen, staying in on-site hotel rooms and undergoing regular testing.
Farrar is confident such a process could work, suggesting that the ECB invest in a private contractor to carry out the necessary daily swabs. Furthermore, he said it ought not be necessary for those involved in the scenario - estimates for the number of people required to run an international match behind closed doors range from 250 to 350 - to be quarantined in advance.
                                                                                         Monitoring
“Sporting grounds could quite easily run the tests themselves under a contract with a private provider,” Farrar said. “All players could be tested daily with a nose or throat swab to make sure they were not infectious at any time. If they were positive, they would not be able to play and they would need to isolate.
“You can imagine, given the relatively small number of people involved, providing a monitoring process to make sure you knew no one was not infectious. The teams and everyone involved may have to live in a bubble for the month or so of the season within essentially a closed community. But you’d have to extend that bubble and testing to the players, the umpires and the people who are preparing the grounds to make it safe and ready for a behind-closed-doors game.”
The positive message was extended to the county game. Farrar believes a T20 Blast competition involving all 18 counties is possible before the autumn.
Recreational cricketers too will be buoyed by his analysis of the amateur game’s chances of a return. Currently team sports are not permitted unless within individual households, and clubs up and down the country are struggling with the financial fallout that has come with an absence of income through subs, membership fees, venue hire and bar takings.
                                                                                          Distancing
But there is a sliver of hope in Farrar’s assessment of the situation - which remains conditional on the infection rate of Covid-19 continuing to fall.
“Cricket lends itself to this better than many other sports,” he said. “If you take a cricket match and think sensibly, how can we still have a game which respects some of the physical distancing measures that make sense: hand-washing between overs, not spitting on the ball, using umpires from the teams to reduce the number of people, changing at home and going to the ground.
“You can think through a game from early in the morning to stumps and come up logically with a plan in the context of physical distancing which wouldn’t ruin the game. 
“I think you could do that and have games potentially played in July and August.
“What can we do with our scientific knowledge to reduce risk and allow recreational cricket to go on, which is hugely important. People’s wellbeing has been so negatively impacted with this, we all know that, and getting people active again is hugely important.”

Were you among the thousands of punters who entered the Hampshire Cricket Board’s challenging Grounds Quiz, skillfully teased and crafted by Development Officer Simon Jones ?

Here’s the link: https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/ageasbowl/Cricket%20Board
/Documents/groundsquiz.pdf

Entries closed at tea-time on Bank Holiday Monday. Hours later after sifting through mountains of entries, the judges announced the grounds photographed, as follows –

1 Crown Taverners; 2 Medstead; 3 Petersfield; 4 Twyford; 5 Easton & Martyr Worthy; 6 Swan Green; 7 Longparish; 8 Portsmouth [St Helen’s Southsea]; 9 Broadhalfpenny Down; 10 Green Jackets, St Cross Symondians; 11 Bolton’s Bench, Lyndhurst; 12 Hoglands Park; 13 Fareham & Crofton; 14 May’s Bounty, Basingstoke; 15 Alton second pitch; 16 IBM Hursley; 17 Newclose IOW; 18 Brockenhurst; 19 Portchester Castle; 20 Damerham; 21 Headley; 22 Sparsholt; 23 Hursley Park; 24 New Place, Shedfield/Shirrell Heath (used by Fair Oak); 25 Fawley; 26 Ryde; 27 Bramshaw; 28 Portsmouth Rugby Camp; 29 Ropley; 30 New Milton; 31 Oakley; 32 Eversley; 33 Lord’s.

The competition winner (despite four faults), is believed to have a PO16 postal address, but has requested no publicity.

The importance of the nation’s playing fields has rarely been a matter of more serious consideration – and a research paper published last week by the Grounds Management Association (GMA) illustrated just how much cricket could suffer unless urgent action is taken.
The GMA whitepaper suggested that more than half of all cricketers could be impacted over the next decade if grass pitches aren’t better maintained. Those worst impacted, the organisation opined, would be women, girls and junior players, many of whom are already finding availability of facilities a pressing concern, writes Richard Edwards.
Perhaps most stark in a paper littered with eye-opening revelations was the GMA’s belief that as many as half a million more cricketers could play the game if local authority grass pitches receive the care and attention they deserve. In a summer currently devoid of cricket, this need is highlighted still further.
In an exclusive interview with Club Cricket Conference, Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA, said a change of attitude was needed to ensure that the issue was tackled for the long-term good of the game.
“Funding has always been the issue when it comes to local authority provision," says Webb. "Outside of swimming, there’s no statutory responsibility on local authorities for its parks, its gardens or its recreational provisioning.
                                                                                Heavily invest
“That has been a long-standing debate way before the pandemic hit us but the pandemic has accelerated the issue. After years of austerity and public cut-backs, it’s now going to be even more incumbent on volunteers to come into play where local authorities simply can’t manage the grounds for whatever reason.
“You can’t say that every local authority acts in the same way. We see three main categories. You get those local authorities who heavily invest in their sports facilities because of the essential nature of the community ethic; you get others who will look to tender their facilities out to contractors who come in and manage those facilities; and then you get others who could be at the closure end because there is pressure on their budgets or their priorities elsewhere are just so great that they have to make tough decisions.”
The danger, when this crisis has finally played out, is that the decimated public purse will lead to more local authorities falling into the latter category.
“Across the country, councils experience a negative financial return on the overheads of preparing of their grounds as against the rent they can accrue from them,” says Simon Prodger. “It costs a lot less to prepare a football pitch or a rugby pitch than it does to prepare a wicket and an outfield,” says Simon Prodger.
“There are 2700 cricket grounds that are owned and managed by local authorities in this country – that’s a huge percentage of the overall number of facilities available to cricket clubs.
“That puts the potential scale of this issue into perspective.”
                                                                                       Debate
The ECB have engaged with all local authorities through the GMA in a bid to mitigate the issues that could arise when recreational cricket is given the go-ahead to restart. It’s thought that most local authorities would require two to three weeks to prepare match-ready pitches.
Between now and then, there will be plenty of debate within those public bodies over how funds should be spent.
“What we’re trying to say is if you cut every resources that’s out there you’ll never bring anything back at all,” says Webb.
“Sport can have a huge impact on the community. And as our report says, it's worth £39bn to the UK economy – a lot of that money comes from local community sport.
“You take the health aspect of that as well and it’s clear just how important this is. If you improve existing facilities, you could get almost 1.4m children playing rugby or football, and just under 500,000 playing cricket.
“If you can turn thought process around to enable sport to be played by looking at how you maintain natural turf pitches – and there are 51,000 pitches in England alone – you’re talking about a huge increase in the number of matches that could be played.
“It’s very much how you manage, what you manage and when you manage – we need to make people realise that grass can do a whole lot more. There’s a lot more potential in it – it’s a community asset that needs to be kept.”
It’s also one that needs to be treasured. Particularly when club cricketers of all ages are finally able to return to action.
“Preparing a little and often has been very useful during the lockdown and if you look at social media, there have been some fantastic looking photos of pristine looking village cricket pitches – pitches that are just waiting to be played on,” says Webb.

Roger Sillence cracked an unbeaten 122 as South Wilts successfully chased down Calmore Sports’ 228-9 to beat their ECB Southern Electric Premier Division rivals by six wickets at Loperwood Park.
Sillence [left] arrived at the crease with South Wilts an uncertain 54-3, but in the course of hitting six maximums alongside 12 fours (with support from George Allpress 35) swept the Bemerton visitors to victory with five overs to spare.
Top scorers for Calmore were opening pair James Hibberd (63) and Paul Draper (49), who later joined South Wilts, whose side in those days contained James Tomlinson, an emerging left-arm seam bowler from nearby Appleshaw.
Sillence, a regular in Wiltshire’s Minor Counties side, subsequently signed for Gloucestershire and celebrated his county championship debut with a 5-97 return against Sussex.  He later made an unbeaten hundred against Derbyshire (2002) before joining Worcestershire. In seven seasons on the county circuit he scored almost 1,100 runs and took 72 wickets.
Havant saw their two-match winning start to the campaign halted by Andover, who beat them by 15 runs having successfully defended 192-5 (Roger Miller 70). Havant lurched to 128-8 (Luke Sears 57) but rallied to finish with 177 all out, Daniel Oliver hitting a late 42*.
The result left Bournemouth in top spot on the back of beating Burridge. South African Mike Stonier (68) and Julian Cassell (41) guided Bournemouth to 198-9, with Burridge 85-7 when it rained.
Cove suffered a third successive defeat when Bashley (Rydal) chalked up 206-8 before dismissing them for 176. Neil Thurgood (56) and Steve Latimore (46) provided Bashley with the launchpad from which a teenage West Australian Luke Ronchi excelled with a quick-fire 64.  Joe Ashton’s 5-61 return took his season’s haul to ten wickets in three games.
                                                             Kenya star arrives at BAT Sports

The major round 3 story occurred at Southern Gardens, where Kenya international batsman/wicketkeeper Kennedy Otieno [right] scored a century on debut for BAT Sports against visiting Hungerford.
Capped 90 times by Kenya, including appearances in two ICC Cricket World Cups, Kennedy hit 105 before BAT, cruising at 171-1, suffered an amazing collapsed, losing nine wickets for 36 runs before being dismissed for 207.  
With rain about, Hungerford’s target was trimmed to 191 off 46 overs – a score they appeared likely reach at 148-2 (38.2 overs) and Toby Radford going nicely at 71*. The game was abandoned through rain, with BAT winners by 11 runs. The rain rules have subsequently been revised.
Hampshire’s Lawrie Prittipaul starred as Portsmouth swept to a third successive Division 2 win, comfortably beating winless Hambledon by six wickets at St Helen’s, Southsea.
Prittipaul took 3-33 and Dave Tiller 4-29 as Hambledon were dismissed for 142 – a total the city club polished off, with their county all-rounder 61 not out.
Chris Tremlett, who went on to play on 70 occasions for England, guided Hursley Park to a dramatic one-wicket win over OTs & Romsey, who had won their two previous matches.
He glued the Hursley Park innings as his side crumbled from 117-2 after in-form Ian Tulk (66) and Max Smith (52) had taken OTs to 193-8 (Raman Prendergast 4-42). With wickets tumbling all around him, Tremlett hit an unbeaten 66 to win the match. He went on to make his County Championship debut for Hampshire later that summer.
A century third-wicket stand between Jez Bulled (70) and New Zealander Mayu Pasupati (65) set up Liphook & Ripsley’s thumping 111-run win over Lymington.
Southampton University pair Will Buck and Will Follett shared eight of the nine Liphook wickets to fall, but a total of 223-0 was always too many for Lymington, who folded to 112, latter day spin legend Dave Elliott taking 4-23 and Pasupati 3-23.
Winchester KS were on their Marks against United Services, with opener Paul hitting 92 of his side’s 224-7 and sibling brother Stuart (3-24) unsettling Services top order. Andy Crofts replied with 59 of US’s 151 all out.
Nineteen wickets fell at Stoneham Lane, where Trojans edged a slender one-wicket victory over Alton, who hit back after being shot out for 95, Richard Bull (4-18) doing the early damage. Trojans were reduced to 34-5 before Jon Gillespie (27) and Mike Durand added a vital 50, from which the Stoneham side nicked victory.

School headmaster Andy Heyes finished top of the class with an unbeaten century as Sparsholt continued winning ways in Division 3 with a 128-run victory over Lymington II.
But he had to be patient as opening pair Jeremy Frith (62) and Bill Gunyon (69) held centre stage for some time before Hayes [left] strode to the Locks Lane crease to pepper two sixes and 11 fours in a majestic (his words) 109*.
His hundred enabled Sparsholt to post 339-3 before Mike Ball and Rob Howarth shared the eight wickets Lymington lost in replying with 211, Steve Jenkin hitting 55.
Old Basing, meanwhile, maintained the fast pace by mauling Eastleigh (173-9) by nine wickets – Aussie Lee Sorfleet (73) and the exciting Peter Came (69) enjoying an unbroken century partnership.
There was another treble-figure stand in Gosport Borough’s seven-wicket win over Rowledge (165-8), openers Tony Stares (82) and (another) Aussie Scott Croker (50) enjoying a 111-run start.
It was Green for Go for Easton & Martyr Worthy, who ran up 232-8 on the way to victory over Purbrook.  Steve Green didn’t mess about, scoring 82 after brother Shaun had hit 58. Andy Birch underlined his all-rounder status with 4-32.
Things are not going terribly well for Hook & Newnham Basics right now. They lost three wickets before they reached double figures and were dismissed for 117 by Paultons, for whom Peter Lamb took 4-19 and Paul Wilde 3-20.  Dave Sheath hit 55 and South African Colin Delport 49 for Paultons.
OTs & Romsey were given a promising start by Wayne Effeny (43) and Shayne Freemantle (35), but 110-1 became 188-8 and New Milton won by five wickets, Russell Thomas (54) and Simon Massey (32) setting up the victory.
Hampshire Sixties star Iain Britton was the star of Bashley Rydal II’s seven-wicket win over Portsmouth, who collapsed from 102-1 (Barry Stares 53) to 153 all out, with Dale Middleton (4-34) and Martin Gregory (3-31) doing the damage.   Britton then lit up the stage with an unbeaten 90.
Wellow & Plaitford were once again rained off, this time against St Cross Symondians.

​Guernsey Cricket plans to stage an exhibition match as early as next weekend to demonstrate the sport can be played safely with social distancing measures in place.
The GCB has submitted a proposal to local public health officials for a T20 match to take place at the KGV next Saturday 30 May, the day Guernsey is set to move into phase four of its 'exit from lockdown' framework.
Guernsey Cricket said it has put forward a series of measures to satisfy public health requirements:
• New ball at each end
• Wicket-keepers not allowed to stand within 1m of the stumps
• No use of changing rooms
• Players to arrive separately
• No sharing of equipment
• Umpires to wear gloves and disinfect the ball between overs
• No high fives or hand shakes
It has been 23 consecutive days since the island's last new positive case of coronavirus, while there are now just two active cases remaining.
If permitted, next week's match could be the first game of competitive cricket played in the British Isles this summer, with cricket in England suspended until at least 1 July and until 1 August in Scotland.
It is set to involve two teams drawn from Guernsey's senior island squad, who have been allowed to work with coaches one-one-one for the last week.

How many club grounds in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight have you played on - and do you think you can remember them ?
Here's a great chance to test your knowledge in a Bank Holiday Weekend quiz skilfully put together by HCB Development Officer Simon Jones, who has been testing his new drone to produce pictures of 32 different grounds (many of them aerial shots) to tease and test your knowledge to the limit.   As you'll see below, they are not easy !
Even your editor, alleged to have played or burgled a free tea on the majority of club grounds in the county, is hard pressed to come up with the answers and so far has only 23 of the 32 !
https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/ageasbowl/Cricket/Cricket%20Board/Documents/groundsquiz.pdf
is your link.
Answers have to be submitted by Bank Holiday Monday.  Good luck.  You will need it !

Bournemouth will potentially have three of Parley’s Hampshire League title winning side in their squad – if there is any league or T20 cricket during the second half of the summer. 
All recreational cricket in the UK remains suspended until July 1 due to the coronarvirus pandemic, but if the Lions do get doing, Sam Collins, Alex Nippard and opening bowler Adam Fowler-Watt are all scheduled to be featuring at Chapel Gate.
The trio all ‘reluctantly’ left Parley to satisfy their thirst for a better standard of cricket when the 2019 County Division 1 winners were refused promotion to Southern Premier League Division 3 due to on-going accreditation issues.
All three players had been at Parley since juniors, with Collins and Nippard the club’s leading league run scorers.
The arrival of Collins (pictured left after scoring a century against Ryde last season) and Nippard will beef up Bournemouth’s batting line up weakened by the departure of Dorset captain Luke Webb to Chesham.
Seam bowler Adam Fowler Watt will join his Parley colleagues at Chapel Gate once he completes the final semester of his music degree course at Leeds University.
Bournemouth also expected to be bolstered by the return of all-rounder Jake Hurley and Jamie Price, who has missed the past two seasons through injury.
Towering 6’4” South African seamer Adam Mather, from Durban, is Bournemouth’s overseas recruit.
Now permanently resident in the UK, Mather took 44 wickets for Desborough Town in the ECB Northants Premier League in 2017 and a further 26 for Surrey Championship side Valley End last summer.
On the debit side, left-arm spinner Dom Clutterbuck has joined Lymington’s Harry Fisher at Premier Division champions Bashley (Rydal).
If there is to be any competitive cricket this summer, it won’t start until July 4, at the very earliest, with 50-over ‘league cup’ matches planned across the four SPL divisions.
Saturday July 4 is round ten in the fixture schedule and marks the start of the second half of the season.
With a potentially shortened season, at best, there will be no promotion or relegation, with the Premier League having already decided to award a trophy to the side that ‘tops’ any short-form division.
But all that will be dashed if the ECB decides to suspend competitive recreational cricket for the entire season ….

Kevan James never planned to become the voice of Hampshire Cricket, but after two decades behind the microphone, the BBC Solent commentator has proved to be the consummate all-rounder.
James is marking 20 years with the BBC, having gone from popular player to part of the summer hum at the Ageas Bowl, writes Alex Smith.
As a cricketer, James spent five years at Middlesex before serving Hampshire for 15 seasons. During his spell at Northlands Road, he played for South Hants TC, helping the Portsmouth club win one of two Southern League titles.
Although he is most celebrated for his four wickets in four balls and century against India in 1996, James boasted a first-class batting average of more than 30, a bowling average of 32.
“I loved what I did playing, although it is a little sad that over a 20-year career most people remember me from that India game,” a typically self-deprecating James said.
“For me commentary is a bonus. It has pushed me like playing did, and I absolutely love it.
“I love following Hampshire around and going to other grounds and meeting up with people I played against and supporters who are still around.”
James, 59, fell into radio, having hung up his bat and pads in 1999 with no plans for his future.
He initially teamed up with the late John Hughes to front the cricket coverage on the south coast. Hughes proved to be the perfect colleague from whom to learn. 
                                                                                       Archives
“John made commentary sound so easy,” James, who works across all of Solent’s sports programming, said.
“Those sorts of people are always the best to learn from. I used to just listen to him. He wasn't one for giving loads of advice.
“Every so often now, when I’m going through our archives, his voice pops up and I find myself listening a bit closer to the lines he is delivering.
“I used to listen to his 30-second reports and think, ‘Wow, he has got so much information in to that 30 seconds’ whereas many people would take a minute.
“Kevin Howells at 5 Live is also very good at that. It's amazing that within the first two lines that he delivers he has made this real vivid picture of the context of the game.”
When Adi Birrell arrived as Hampshire’s head coach last year, he sought the players’ opinion of James – unsurprisingly the response was universally positive.
That respect from the current Hampshire dressing room is partly down to his playing career, but equally his fairness when calling the game and in post-play interviews.
                                                                                  Challenging
James admitted: “Sometimes I think some of the questions could be a lot harder hitting or challenging, but I know first-hand that nobody goes out there and doesn't give 110 per cent.
“It might sometimes look as though they can't be bothered, but that's what the game does to you, it can make you look very silly at times.
“At the end of the day’s play or game I can empathise with what was going on. The last thing that I needed straight after playing was someone telling me it wasn’t very good because we all know it wasn’t.
“I have probably missed out on some lines over the years but when you look back over hundreds of interviews there are plenty there that I wouldn’t have done if I was a bit the other way.”
That trust in James wasn’t always there, with former skipper Shane Warne taking him aside to give him some tips on how to get across his opinion while still keeping the players on side.
“I remember him saying to me one day that the players were a bit hacked off with me because they've heard one or two things that I'd said on the radio,” James said.
“He said the trick was that if you want to say something, say it in a way that doesn't sound cutting. You can still say it but be careful.
“The first couple of times I interviewed him he was definitely wary of me. But over a period of time he got to trust me a bit and some of the interviews I did with him were really good.”
                                                                                   Modernising
In recent seasons, James has been at the forefront of modernising county coverage. 
The biggest success story has been adding Emily Windsor to his team. The Hampshire Women’s player has entertained listeners and impressed the head honchos at the BBC, who offered her work on Radio 5 Live Sports Extra for the Kia Super League last summer.
“I thought it was very important to freshen it up and balance it out," he said.
“I’m nearly 60 and I probably view the game slightly differently than people 30 or 40 years younger.
“I know some people think some of my views now are starting to get a little bit dated, but then if I'm balancing that out with somebody who's younger, then hopefully by the end of the day you’ve had a nice mix.”
James' most enjoyable moments as a member of the media have echoed his most glittering as a player.
He claimed NatWest Trophy and Benson & Hedges Cup winners’ medals at Lord's, and has returned to the Home of Cricket for Hampshire's modern one-day successes - including back-to-back Royal London One Day Cup finals in the past two seasons.
“I really like being on the pitch before the game doing the build-up and then talking to the players when they won afterwards," James said.
“I know what it is like as a player as I won a few Lord’s finals and it is just unbelievable. It isn’t the same as playing but it is the next best thing.
“After 2005, I remember chatting to colleague Adam Blackmore afterwards about doing the lap of the pitch with the players afterwards and he said, ‘I could tell in your voice you really enjoyed that, it must have been like playing’.
“It wasn’t, but it was the first time on air where I’d felt closest to being a player.
“I enjoy the game and watching Hampshire, always have done and always will do, and I think reflecting that is more important than anything else."

Hampshire Cricket has been saddened by the death of former scorer Tony Weld, aged 95, who passed away peacefully (of natural causes) in an Emsworth nursing home this week.
Tony took on the role of Hampshire’s scorer at the end of the 2005 season before handing over to Kevin Baker in 2014, but that is a mere fragment in what was a long life in cricket, which not only embraced the Ageas Bowl, but scoring for the Australia, New Zealand, South African and West Indies touring teams.
He spent much of his life living in and around the Portsmouth area and, alongside running a shop in Bedhampton, played local club cricket for Emsworth and Stansted Park before taking up umpiring.  He had the honour of officiating the first ever Hampshire League match in 1973 between Hayling Island and Portsmouth & Southsea, which the visitors won by 16 runs, despite a battling innings by Portsmouth footballer Harry Harris for the island side.
Having served his ‘apprenticeship’ as a ‘notcher’ in Second XI cricket, Tony went on to score for Hampshire for nine seasons and was the bookkeeper in all the county’s Lord’s finals. 
In a tribute, Hampshire Director of Cricket Giles White said: “Tony was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. He was incredibly dignified and put simply, a wonderful man.
“During his time with us he was totally dedicated and committed to the Club; he was a delight to be around and we will always remember him.”

Back in the summer of 2006, David Griffiths became the first Islander to have played county cricket for Hampshire for 79 years. 
Griff, as he is known throughout the world of cricket, played 100 games of top professional cricket, in a career that saw him robbed of many more because of an endless run of injuries, as often befits a fast bowler of around 90 mph.
David Griffiths, a former pupil of Sandown High, was born into a sporting family. His father, Adrian, was a gifted fast bowler for Shanklin and went on to play for Wales. His two grandfathers, Ron Griffiths and Roly Ringer, were both legends in local cricket. David Porter, who became his stepfather and gave him so much encouragement, was one of the Island's greatest post-war cricketers. His mother, Libby, has also always been such an inspiration for him.
                                                                                      Academy
The first time I ever met young Griff was in 2005 - and he was not a pretty sight. He'd just returned to his Sandown home from an England Under-19 tour of Malaysia and India. It had taken toll on his health. Being young and strong he made a good recovery and played for Hampshire the following season.
From the age of five he went to Shanklin Cricket Club with the family and was soon learning the game in the practice nets. He became one of the youngest players to play for the club before joining the Hampshire Academy when he was just 14.
As an eager young fast bowler Griff became a force in their 2nd XI and took 40 wickets before an unexpected call to first team action.
He reflected on that exciting moment: " I was due to play for the seconds but was suddenly asked to join the first team squad for a game at Durham. I travelled up and expected to be 12th man but with West Indian test player Darren Powell still awaiting his work permit, I was put into the team instead of him."
It was on a ground used by England for Test matches and in the first innings he took 4 for 46, a very commendable performance. He took six wickets in the match and went on to play against Lancashire at Old Trafford. Virtually overnight, he was bowling to world class players.
                                                                                  Quick learner
After games against Sussex and Worcestershire, where he got the wicket of his idol Graham Hick for just four, he suddenly came up against the ace Surrey run machine Mark Ramprakash and, thankfully, Griff was a quick learner. In the end he almost saved Hampshire from defeat. He and Nic Pothas put on an enthralling last wicket stand, with Griff being on 31 not out until his South African partner was dubiously run out. They had survived for 50 overs.
During his Hampshire days he was thrilled when Shane Warne joined the club. He was such a hero to millions of cricket fans - despite playing for the old enemy!
"Playing with Shane really helped my game so much and he did give youngsters a chance. I also got great help from other stars like Bruce Reid and Shaun Udal to improve my game," said Griff.
On one memorable occasion Griff was named as a July cricketer of the month. The others were Stuart Broad, Luke Wright, Joe Denly and Adil Rashid. If only he hadn't suffered so many injuries, which kept him out of the game for long periods.
                                                                              Memorable moments
Despite these setbacks he did enjoy so many memorable moments. In 2012 he was in the Hampshire team that won the Clydesdale Bank 40 Final at Lords, against Warwickshire. He swung the match Hampshire's way when he took the key wicket of England Test star Ian Bell. They won the match off the very last ball.
Griff reached the peak form of his life at Trent Bridge against Nottinghamshire. He took 6 for 85 and had several catches dropped. On another momentous occasion he took 5 for 85 against Essex at Chelmsford. In that game he was joined by another young Islander Danny Briggs. On one day, between them, they took all the wickets that fell.
Eventually, he was released by Hampshire at the end of the 2013 season. Many felt it was rather unfair. Griff didn't feel that way and had enjoyed his long spell with Hampshire. One or two counties were keen to sign him and he chose Kent.
Sadly, his injuries just never went away. During his debut season he could only bowl 63 overs. Then further seasons were hampered by tricep and back injuries. It was not all doom and gloom and he did have some great moments. He was always such a good "death" bowler in the final overs of one-day games.
Winning a man of the match award for his 2 for 24 in four overs against Hampshire in a T20 game was a great moment, particularly as he was bowling to two renowned big hitters Shahid Afridi and Daren Sammy. 
Other highlights included a 4 for 22 against Middlesex in the Nat West Trophy and 3 for 49 against New Zealand A. He won his Kent cap and in the county championship took 6 for 63 against Gloucestershire.

After he retired from professional cricket, Griff became player/coach at  Basingstoke and North Hants, where he took 86 wickets. 
Griff now lives in South Africa, where he is the assistant coach to Dale Benkenstein at the country's top public school, Hilton College, near Martizburg. They have international coaches for every sport. 
During his career he played for Claremont in Cape Town and Crusaders, during our winter. When the coronavirus restrictions are lifted he will marry his South African girlfriend.
Last year he came back to the Island  to play in a special memorial match at Shanklin to honour the life of his late stepfather, Dave Porter.  Griff was always so grateful for his support.  This was proved in his very touching and emotional speech in the clubhouse.
A few weeks after that game Griff went to Australia to donate a kidney to his sister Emma. Luckily, it was a good match and she is now enjoying much improved health. In recent months he's had great support from the Professional Cricketers Association.
Griff has always been such a credit to the Island and his success brought him 182 wickets in first class cricket. Now he's helping to groom some promising young South African cricketers …        

          The stunning Hilton College ground in South Africa, where David Griffiths is now assistant coach.

This article appears by kind permission of the Isle of Wight County Press for whom John Hannam is a seasoned correspondent - many seasons, in fact !!!

Subscribers to this website (all monetary donations always welcomed), are now given exclusive access to the as yet published regulations relating to the Resumption of Cricket to be implemented by Hampshire Seniors and other athletic teams aged 50 years and over.  Boris will formally announce them on the steps on 10 Downing Street on Sunday week. You may need a tissue ...
​ 
1.       Players will arrive alone in their cars at 10.00am for a 1.00pm start.
2.       They will come fully changed
3.       If they wish to bring a wife or partner then they must travel in the other family car. Motor bikes and    sidecars will be accepted, but must be completely sanitised.
4.       Cars will be parked 6 feet from one another. Motor bikes will have their separate bays.
5.      On disembarking from one’s motor, the player will assemble in front of the Clubhouse forming a circle with his team mates but adhering to social distancing.
6.       The opposition will do the same.
7.       Scorers will distance themselves from these groups.
8.       The Umpires, both wearing sanitised gloves, will call for both Captains to step forward.  
9.       On this instruction both Captains (wearing sanitised gloves) will step forward and proceed to the middle for a toss. Apparently, a toss when using sanitised rubber gloves is quite sensual.
10.   On arriving at the wicket and observing social distancing the foursome will see two white lines, one either side of the wicket which signifies that the batsman will run outside of those lines.
11.   The Home Umpire will take from his pocket a sanitized a £2 coin and invite the visiting Captain to call.
12.   If the visiting Captain wins the toss and decides to bat, both Captains will wish each other all the best. The Home Umpire will return the sanitized £2 coin to his pocket and ask the visiting Umpire which end he would like. I’ve always been a bit worried about that request [Ed].
13.   The dressing rooms are out of bounds except for inserting one’s protective equipment and donning one’s pads but only one player at a time.
                                                                                            Toilets
14.   Men’s toilets are open on a one-in-one-out arrangement. If the instructions in the toilet request you stay 6 feet away, it does not mean you stand 6 feet from the urinal and try and reach from an impossible distance.
15.   Ladies toilets will remain closed : a wide necked bottle should be brought individually.
16.   The Home side will take the field and all will wear sanitized gloves except the wicket-keeper who will wear traditional wicket-keeping gloves duly sanitized.
17.   The Home Umpire will remove from his pocket a sanitised orange Dukes ball and toss it to the bowler.
18.   The bowler will remove one glove from his bowling hand and procced to his mark.
19.   The Umpire will not carry the bowler’s jumper or hat so whatever the weather it will be best to leave these items in your kit bag.
20.   The non-striker will stand away whilst the Umpire gives his partner a guard.
21.   The Umpire will then retreat 6 yards back from the stumps so as not to be near the bowler when he approaches the crease.
                                                                                     Long run up
22.   If the bowler has an exceptionally long run, he can bend his run round the Umpire and have enough time to straighten his run before releasing the ball.
23.   Being 28 yards from the batsman may give the Umpire problems when deciding on an LBW shout. He may have doubts, think it going down the leg-side, not sure if the batsman hit it or maybe just give a decision based on guesswork. This scenario is the only thing that won’t change as a result of the virus.
24.   At the end of the over the ball shall be returned to the Umpire and the bowler will leave the field of play to put a sanitised glove on his bowling hand. This may take a while so a substitute fielder will take his place also wearing sanitised gloves. When ready the bowler can return to the field of play during an over.
25.   The wicket-keeper will stand 6 feet back which will make stumping’s difficult but this won’t make any difference to The Viking. The keeper will also wear a sanitised protector which may make his eyes water initially but again this won’t make any difference to The Viking.
26.   First slip will be third slip, second slip will be gully and gully will be deep point. There will be no square leg.
27.   Only one fielder will be allowed to chase the ball at any one time.
                                                                                   High Fives
28.   Fielding with the boot is allowed provided the boots have been sanitised before entering the field of play.
29.   In the unlikely event of a bowlers taking a wicket, there will be no ludicrous high fives or back slapping, just ‘well bowled Charlie, well caught Bert’ or ‘see what happens when you bowl it straight Keith’.
30.   The use of saliva on the ball is not allowed. Sweat is also banned but the chances of our bowlers working up a sweat is unlikely.
31.   The Umpire, after calling over, will move to square leg at the same time sanitising his pebbles or counter.
32.   After 10 overs the scorers, who are social distancing the other side of the ground, will shout ’10 overs’. The batsmen and fielding side will leave the field to replace their batting gloves, fielding gloves and wicket-keeping gloves although the latter might still have a certain amount of sanitizer on them. This will take place after 20 and 30 overs in a 40 over game.
33.   The scorers will also sanitise their pens, pencils, crayons, rubbers and laptops after 10 overs.
34.   In the event of rain all players, batting and fielding will return to their cars. The scorers will get soaking wet as they are miles from anywhere and the Umpires will be like coiled springs watching the weather from their cars.
                                                                                            Wine
35.   If they decide play is possible players will take the field wearing sanitised gloves. Play will continue for 40 overs with breaks after 10 overs.
36.   In the event of an opposition player scoring a 50 or 100 (which is likely when Hampshire 60s bowl first), they do not shake their hands or slap them on the back, ‘lucky bastard’ should be used instead.
37.  Each player must bring their own tea. Tea will be taken after 40 overs with each Team, Umpires, Scorers socially distancing. The Kent players will be segregated into Players and Gentlemen. The Gentlemen will not be allowed to have their fag serve them tea. Players will eat their cheese sandwiches and water, Gentlemen will have a three course meal and wine.
38.  After 45 minutes the Umpires will call ‘Time’ and the opposition will take the field wearing sanitised gloves and boots. The opposition had a left-arm over which led to some confusion when the batsmen ran a two. Both were on the wrong side of the wicket and collided. They had to leave the field, completely sanitise themselves and return to the wicket when a wicket fell as they had been replaced by the next two in the order.
                                                                                   Close of play
39.  Play ends after 40 overs. Stumps, bails, circle markers were left for the groundsman to collect. Both teams formed a line facing one another 6 feet apart and gave each other the clap they richly deserved along with ‘well played’, ‘good game’, ‘lucky bastards’.
40.  By this time it was 10.00pm, the bar was shut, showers not in use so the intrepid players sweating profusely, Umpires, Scorers got into their cars and drove home in pitch black vowing to return again next week as it had been so much fun.
41.   The ECB directive for injured players has been made quite clear. If a fielder is injured with a broken finger, dislocated shoulder or other injury he is to self-administer first aid. If this is unsuccessful he will leave the field, be replaced by a sanitised substitute, and go to hospital.
42.  In the event of one of the opposition batsman collapsing at the crease, the Home Captain will leave the field of play, collect his sanitised defibrillator lodged between the scorers knees for safe keeping (her knees had been duly sanitised), and place said defibrillator 6 feet from the collapsed player. That player would then inch his way to the defibrillator, remove the pads, adjust them on his chest and hit the shock button. If this fails and he passes out, one of his team mates should phone for an ambulance. On arrival the sanitised ambulance men would take away the stricken hero on a sanitised stretcher. After a moments contemplation the game will resume with two new batsman at the crease. 
Any questions ?

​A staggering 27 years have passed since the Hampshire and Wiltshire Schools’ Under-15 teams posed for the camera after their Army Cup tie at Northlands Road, Southampton had been rained off.
See if you can spot former Hampshire batsman Derek Kenway, along with Bashley-Rydal's Andy Neal, James Scott, Liphook's Alan Crawford, Nick Whitworth, Simon Francis, James Welch, Jeremy Frith, Robert Bruce, Stuart Hamilton, Edward Craig, David Baxendale, John Claughton, Jonathon Cook, Paul McGee, and Simon Bell ?
Derek Kenway went on to make the England U15 squad that summer, while John Claughton (KES) captained England U14s v Scotland before later going up to Oxford. One of his England team-mates was a certain J Wilkinson (Lord Wandsworth College), who went on to represent his country at another sport and earned a World Cup winners' medal after popping over a few conversions !
Simon Francis, also of KES fame, subsequently played county cricket for Hampshire & Somerset.

The Ageas Bowl Nursery Ground outfield, on which the county’s Academy side plays its home ECB Southern Premier League matches, has undergone a total revamp under the supervision of new head groundsman Simon Lee.
With cricket suspended until at least July 1, Hampshire have taken the opportunity to rip up the entire outfield, which was laid over 20 years ago and was showing significant signs of wear and tear, with specific problems with the drainage.
An 18mm layer of thatch has been stopping the Nursery Ground outfield draining properly after heavy rain. 
In association with Hedge End based Southern Ground Care, Lee and assistant groundsman Tom Cowley (of South Wilts fame) have removed the thatch.
The whole outfield was then scarified and spiked to create a bed for fresh grass seed to fall and be brushed into. 
“To finish off,  off we spread between 75 and 90 tonnes of sand onto the outfield then used a tractor-mounted brush to drag the sand around,” explained Cowley, who eats, drinks and sleeps his work on the Ageas Bowl groundstaff.
“We will spread the rest of the sand over the next few weeks and will walk the outfield, dressing up any low spots we come across.”
Cowley hopes that they hope to see signs of early grass growth over the upcoming Spring bank holiday weekend – only ten days after it was put down !
He explained: “We have outfield sprinklers to help the process, and in six to eight weeks hope to be in a good position with it so it shouldn’t take too long to be turned round ready for play.
“If all goes to plan, the Ageas Bowl Nursery Ground could be playable by August.”

www.southerngroundcare.co.uk  3 Carpenters Close Hedge End, Southampton SO30 0AL  
023 8019 4921​

These photographs show the progress made by Southern Ground Care of Hedge End initially scarifying the Nursery Ground outfield, then preparing it for a total re-seed. We will be delighted to provide a progress report, with photographs when the grass starts to grow ... 

​

​A link started three decades ago has helped kind-hearted Burridge Cricket Club raise a four-figure sum in ultra-quick time to help feed vulnerable South African families.
The Southern Premier League club’s players and members have donated over £1,000 to provide food hampers to cricket clubs in Cape Town who are not able to help their families during the pandemic-enforced lockdown.
Burridge have close links with Cape Town CC through Roger Moult, who played for the club in 1990 – scoring 908 Hampshire League runs and taking 31 wickets.
Since then, Burridge have brought over three more Cape Town players – Byron Van Der Merwe, Geoff Dods and Hilio De Abreu.
Burridge’s donations have been put toward the #feedacricketer initiative recently launched by the Veterans Cricket Association of South Africa (VCASA). 
It provides a platform for cricket clubs throughout the world to support clubs and cricketers in the country, and Moult is the association’s current interim chairman.
‘We put out an appeal to the members and within a week to 10 days they had raised £1,000,’ said ex-Burridge chairman and current patron Clive Slaughter. ‘The money is still coming in as well.
‘That will buy around 60 hampers which will last a South African about a month.
                                                                                        Lockdown
‘It’s not that there’s a food shortage in South Africa, it’s that during lockdown families haven’t got any way to earn any money.
‘Our members have been brilliant. It’s not a good time for cricket in England, but everyone is always keen to support where we can, and there’s a big need in South Africa.’
Burridge and Middlesex-based Stanmore CC – a club with another strong South African connection – have between them donated over 100 hampers which have been delivered to Langa CC, Mfuleni CC and Vredenburg-Saldanha CC. Phillipi CC and Bishop Lavis CC were due to receive hampers this week.
The #feedacricketer initiative was recently launched by the Veterans Cricket Association of South Africa (VCASA). 
It provides a platform for cricket clubs throughout the world to support clubs and cricketers in South Africa.
Moult explained: ‘The service is currently available in the Western Cape, but we will soon be offering it to clubs in Gauteng. 
                                                                                Difficult to survive
‘The initiative relies on cricket clubs to support each other during these challenging times.’
Moult admits that all sports and sports clubs are finding it difficult to survive in the current environment, but adds: ‘With the lockdown and people not working, the basic need for food and water is not available.’
VCASA is appealing to clubs all over the world to download the ‘Local is Lekker’ App – ‘Lekker’ is a South African slang word meaning superb – select a hamper and a club you wish to support, and place your order.
Meanwhile, Slaughter said Burridge members are doing their best to engage with each other at a time when cricket remains suspended in the UK.
‘Our facilities remain closed but there’s still a lot going on – quiz nights, several WhatsApp groups,’ he remarked.
‘Those groups have been very active with different ideas and projects for the future to boost the club’s funds back up.
‘We also run a 200 Club where members pay £3 and half the money goes out in prizes and the other half goes to the club.
                                                                                     Supporting
‘Before lockdown we had around 160 members, now we have 235 tickets sold for the next draw. That’s how well the members have been supporting the club.
‘Even 60 or 70 extra people a month paying £3 is still more money coming into the club to pay insurance and other bills.’
Burridge are one of the bigger clubs in the region with four men’s teams, a ladies XI and a colts section boasting around 100 players.
They have never won the Southern Premier League’s top flight, but were runners-up in both 2016 and 2018.
Slaughter, like everyone in the grassroots cricketing community, is hoping and praying lockdown restrictions will be eased sufficiently in time for a few games in 2020.
‘I don’t think we’re going to get any competitive cricket this year, but I’m still hoping we can get some cricket in the latter part of the summer,’ he said.
On players possibly losing interest and drifting away from the sport, he added: ‘That’s part and parcel of what the club have been doing, trying to keep members in contact with each other and to keep everyone’s spirits up.’
Cricketers in South Africa need your support.

Turning the clock back 17 years ... to 2003 as the Ventnor Under-13 squad prepares for a full scale trial at Steephill.     
See if you can spot Tom Friend, Jake George, George Hatt and Adam Hose .. plus a host of other 'innocent' youngsters ?   Photo supplied by Kevin Hatt (grateful thanks !)

​Cricket clubs will be faced with a dilemma, following the news that nets can be reopened and practice – albeit in small groups, while maintaining social distancing – restarted, writes Nick Friend in the Cricketer magazine.
Don’t get me wrong, this is a moment in this coronavirus crisis that I – like many others, I’m sure – have been waiting for; an occasion marked in the calendar as an opportunity of sorts to return to a central part of my summer, even if there is a feeling of inevitability that any amateur league season will have to wait until 2021. In Scotland, that decision has already been made.
The quandary, therefore, is less around the reopening of practice facilities, but rather the extent of measures and precautions that clubs will feel the need to put in place before members can be invited to turn their arms over – however dangerously rusty they may be.
That will involve club committees listing the potential risk elements and devising plans to minimise any threat of spreading or transmitting Covid-19 through use of the nets.
                                                                                  Separate risk
That conversation, as one can imagine, is hardly brief, even with the ECB having now issued its full guidance on the matter. “Nets should be used on an ‘every other’ basis, leaving one net free between nets,” it states.
Do we want people putting their hands on the gate to the cage that houses the lanes? Is it a separate risk altogether to keep unlocked and open? How do we ensure that everyone remains two metres apart from one another?
What about the bowling machine: can we have people pushing their hands through a bucket of balls that will be used by everyone looking to make use of the machine? Will all feeders have to wear gloves?
The sharing of equipment is not recommended in the guidance – that will apply to everything: helmets, gloves and balls to name just three.
                                                                                    Guidelines
That all feels eminently manageable, all part of this new world to which we are becoming conditioned. Clubhouses, however, will remain closed except for use of toilets and first aid, with players having to provide their own refreshments. The ECB's new guidelines state that hand sanitiser should be provided in each active net lane – that is neither cheap nor in grand supply, while the closure of pavilions mean that it will be difficult for clubs to store their own onsite.
The greatest challenge in all this may well be restricting numbers. There is not a cricketer in the land who has not spent the months from October through to May staring out of their windows, pining for even the most rudimentary opportunity to strap on the pads and hit a few balls. Even more so since it was announced that golf could once again be played. When the weather has allowed it in these last two months, the parks have often been busy despite the advice against it. 
                                                                                 Foreign concept
So, when nets are indeed available once more, members will likely flock to their local clubs for their exercise. The risk then, of course, is of overcrowding. Booking in advance will be key – a foreign concept in itself.
One of the glorious joys of a summer’s afternoon is of rolling into the car park, dragging your bag up the path and joining whichever group is already netting – squeezing yourself into the bowling queue perhaps, even requesting a bat if it’s not too late in the day.
Reservation systems will be crucial; clubs with both junior and senior sections and a couple of nets will have to work out a way of controlling the flow of keen batsmen and bowlers. That urge to join in with mates will have to be resisted.
Amateur clubs don't have lifeguards or nightclub bouncers on the door to enforce all this. Common sense – a buzzphrase of the last week – will be necessary, as will the importance of self-policing.
Food for thought. It will be strange, though every single provision will be for the best. So, treasure that first net back – it has been a long time in coming. But follow whatever guidelines set out. Enjoy it and stay safe.

Article reproduced by kind permission of www.thecricketer.com
​

​The ECB has issued guidelines offering practical guidance to players and clubs on the steps they should take to remain safe while undertaking exercise in an outdoor cricket club environment.  
​The purpose of the following guidelines is to offer practical guidance to players and Southern Premier League and Hampshire League clubs on the steps they should take to remain safe while undertaking exercise in an outdoor cricket club environment.
These guidelines have been produced in line with the UK Government guidance on public spaces, outdoor activity and exercise published on 11 May 2020, which have been widely publicised.
All activity should be consistent with the Government guidance regarding health, social distancing and hygiene.
In ‘Our Plan to Rebuild’, the UK Government stated that team sports should not be played outside of a household.
ECB maintains the position that all recreational cricket remains suspended until further notice, with the sole exception of the use of outdoor cricket facilities (nets and pitches) for the purpose of undertaking exercise as set out in our detailed guidance document.
Our primary and ongoing goal is to protect the health of everyone in and around the game.
The adjusted lockdown restrictions provide an opportunity for the use of outdoor cricket facilities (nets and pitches) for the purpose of undertaking exercise.
Summary of guidelines for outdoor cricket facilities use 
In summary:

1. You can exercise outdoors on your own, with members of your household or with one other person from outside your household while keeping two metres apart at all times. You must only exercise in groups of no more than two people, unless you are exercising exclusively with members of your household.
2. Social distancing of at least two metres must be maintained at all times (unless all participants are members of the same household).
3. Only one-to-one coaching is permitted per session.
4. Nets should be used on an ‘every other’ basis, leaving one net free between nets.
5. Clubhouses can be reopened in a limited way for operational reasons (e.g. for access to first aid equipment) or for toilet access (see below) but all communal areas including bar, changing rooms etc are to remain closed for general use.
6. Toilet facilities can be opened if the venue wishes, but particular care should be taken by those using them and those cleaning them. Where they are open, venues must ensure soap and water is provided.
7. No indoor activity at all.
8. We recommend using your own equipment if possible. If equipment is being shared, please follow UK Government’s guidance on the sharing of equipment.
9. No saliva or sweat should come into contact with the ball at any time.
10. Wash hands at home before and after using the outdoor facilities. Bring your own hand sanitiser where possible.

ECB is clear that outdoor facilities should only reopen if those responsible for them are ready to do so and they can do so safely, following public health guidance: no club should reopen their outdoor facilities if they feel unable to meet the requirements.
Clubs 
For clubs, you will need to have the following in place:

• Properly maintained facilities.
• A booking system for outdoor space or other means to manage access and demand.
• The capability to advise individuals when booking to check for symptoms of COVID-19 and in turn to advise individuals when booking that - in line with current Government guidance - if they are symptomatic, living in a household with a possible COVID-19 infection or if they are classified as extremely vulnerable on health grounds, they should remain at home and follow Government guidance.
• A sanitation procedure between use/bookings.
• A representative of the club on site during the hours that the outdoor facilities are open for use.
• Closed signs should be displayed when facilities are not open (including where a club does not wish to or is not ready to reopen) to deter use by general public particularly where there is open access.
• Updated signage and access points. 

Individuals 
For individuals, you will need to:

• Seek confirmation from the club that it has reopened and make a booking.
• Check for symptoms of COVID-19. In line with current Government guidance, if you are symptomatic, living in a household with a possible COVID-19 infection or if you are classified as extremely vulnerable on health grounds, you should remain at home and follow Government guidance.
• Avoid public transport, if at all possible.

ECB has provided detailed guidance on the preparation and administration of outdoor facilities for clubs, and guidelines for participation for individuals. The situation is evolving constantly, and we will continue to update our guidance as more information becomes available.
Further advice is available at the GOV.UK and Sport England websites. Please regularly check these sites and the updated ECB guidance as this policy position is likely to change over time and could also become more regionalised and localised as time progresses.
The detailed guidance for clubs and individuals has been distributed to clubs. If you have any further questions, please contact ECB at enquiries@ecb.co.uk.

With the prospect of any competitive cricket this summer hanging in the balance, the prospect of playing or perhaps returning to indoor cricket come the autumn, may well be appealing for the region’s cricketers.
The South Eants Hants Indoor League based at Fareham Leisure Centre, and which plays fixtures on Sunday evenings from late September until late March, has capacity to accommodate six more senior teams and also has limited space at both U-13 and U15 levels in the colts competition.
The management committee are planning now for next season and would be very glad to hear from any clubs that may wish to enter team/s or indeed existing clubs that may wish to enter additional teams. 
The committee will do all they can to provide a relevant and suitable level of cricket for new sides joining in these unprecedented times. For further information please contact the league secretary Adam Smith; sehiclsecretary@outlook.com  07988 806693.

Turn to the Hampshire Cricket website – www.ageasbowl.com/cricket/cricket-board - for numerous ECB updates.

There is important reference to [i] guidance on nets and 1 to 1's, [ii] Club Funding Webinar, [iii] ECB League Emergency Loan Scheme, [iv] Sport England Community Emergency Fund, [v] ECB £100 Spacehive match fundraising, [vi] ECB CEO at DCMS committee, [vii] Dynamos Cricket App, [viii]  Insurers and business interruption, [ix] Hampshire clubs and leagues survey.

Specific page links include -
• Coronavirus COVID-19 FAQs
o COVID19 Grounds Maintenance Update
o Safeguarding Interim Measures
o Stay In Work Out Hampshire
o The Umpire Strikes Back Podcast
o COVID-19 Financial Support for Clubs and Organisations

Please do not hesitate to contact HCB.Admin@ageasbowl.com in touch for further information or in the event of any query

Andy Perry carried his bat for an undefeated 125 as Havant bat hosts Bashley (Rydal) by 15 runs to record a second consecutive win at the start of the inaugural ECB Southern Electric Premier Division season.
He enjoyed a fruitful second-wicket stand with Luke Sears (38) and, more significantly, 90 with Simon Greenfield (22*) after Havant had dipped from a promising 83-1 to 124-6.
Neil Thurgood (79) responded for Bashley, who faced an uphill task from 56-4. Neil Taylor (43) rallied in a 99-run stand with Thurgood but with Stephen Foulger and Phil Loat sharing six wickets, the task proved too great for the New Forest club, who were dismissed for 199.
A dramatic finish at Loperwood Park saw Calmore Sports bowl Andover out off the penultimate ball to secure a thrilling two-run victory – the Lions losing their last four wickets for two runs when they were almost home and dry.
Rob Budd (48) and Martin Kellaway (36) guided Calmore to 108-2, but Andy Hooper (4-30) and Mark Miller (3-11) sent the last eight wickets tumbling for 56 runs and the innings to 164 all out.
Andover looked a good bet after the Miller brothers Mark (57) and Roger (44) took Andover’s reply to 119-2, but Charlie Freestone’s 5-16 rocked the boat and sent the visitors crashing from 160-6 to 162 all out.
South African David Pryke conceded just 12 runs off his ten-over stint but was unable to prevent Bournemouth from a five-wicket win over Hungerford at Chapel Gate.
Hungerford were defending 197-6 (Jim Ettridge 78, Steve Wyatt 44), but were effectively undone by Matt Swarbrick (69) and Mike Stonier (39), who eased Bournemouth to 127-1. Three wickets fell for 26 before Charlie Holcombe biffed a timely 35 to get his side across the line.
Totton & Eling were in a spot of bother at 128-9 (Chris Thomason 54) against Cove at Southern Gardens, but Dan Goldstraw (22) and the promising Simon Preston added precious runs to ensure a final 162-9 would be a winner.   Thomason then struck with the ball, his 4-18 return sinking Cove for 132 (Jimmy Adams 40).
Buridge v South Wilts was called off due to an unfit ground.

​Glyn Treagus [above] took four wickets and then struck an unbeaten hundred to carry Lymington to an eight-wicket win over Division 2 rivals Hursley Park, who had been dismissed for 171 (Dave Jackson 61, Paul Edwards 35).  Zac Morris returned 4-30 and then hit 37* to partner Treagus, who brought up his 100 by making the winning hit.
Winchester KS crashed to 92 all out and an eight-wicket defeat by Portsmouth, with Lawrie Prittipaul (4-20) and Dean Oliffe (3-19) doing the damage. Jeff Pike (34) and Matt Scott (29) completed the formalities before the bar opened.
Guy Lewis (4-19), now in the Australian Navy, did his bit but was unable to spare United Services from a three-wicket defeat by Liphook & Ripsley.  Rob Savage (35) top scored in a modest US total of 137, which Liphook overhauled after losing early wickets. The then promising Jez Bulled (48) and Duncan Berry (36) turned the tide.
One-time Hampshire Under-16 star Ian Tulk (* picture coming soon) top scored for the second consecutive week as OTs & Romsey got home by 11 runs against Alton, who lost their last four wickets for 11 runs, having been in a promising position at 107-2.   
Tulk made 57 and elder brother Stuart (36) steered OTs to 188-7. Julian Ballinger (Ed: why does he bat 11 now-adays ?) hit back with 45 and Richie Morgan (41) as Alton hit back, only to collapse to 177 all out against Terry Azor (4-34) and Nick Wood (3-25).
Social media mogul Simon Williams (4-32) and Richard Bull (3-18) plotted the downfall of Hambledon and set up a 34-run win for Trojans, who posted 141 (Mario Mohamad 41).  Former Hampshire left-arm spinner Ian Turner took 4-11 and Garry Shotton 3-22, but there was little prospect of a Hambledon win after seven wickets fell for 56.  They rallied to reach 107.

Eastleigh pulled off a nail-biting one-run win against Division 3 rivals St Cross Symondians who, chasing 184-8 (Matt Perry-Lewis 5-38), looked certain winners themselves after Graham Barrett (83) and Mark Padwick (39) had eased their reply to 157-3. But John Barnes broke through with a 4-33 return to leave St Cross marooned one short at 183-7.
Rowledge enjoyed an easy second win, rolling OTs & Romsey II over for 84 before Darren Mitchell (54) blasted them home by ten wickets.
Keith Lovelock (74), Hook & Newnham Basics’ larger than life figurehead, led his side to 172 (Martin Shephard 4-30) before Waterlooville were bowled out for 133.
Andy Darnton (71*) and South African Colin Delport (69) prospered as Paultons rattled up 247-5 to beat New Milton, for whom the late Simon Massey (52) and Iain Griffiths (44) responded. Peter Lamb and Ollie Jenner shared six Milton scalps.  
Darnton has just been announced as the new assistant manager of Hungerford Town, whose soccer opponents include Havant & Waterlooville in 2020/21. 
Ian Limb, with 45 and 3-39, shone against his former Purbrook teammates, but was unable to save Portsmouth II from a 62-run defeat.  Graham McCoy (49) top scored in Purbrook’s 209-7 before Steve Brewer (4-34) reduced Portsmouth to 147 all out.
​Andy Heyes (45) and Tim Richings (47) shared the decisive stand as Sparsholt (171-5) eased past Easton & Martyr Worthy’s 170 (Shaun Green 42). Andy Lang and Rob Howarth took three wickets apiece.
Aide Hill (69) and Silchester vineyard owner Peter Came (44) underpinned Old Basing’s 194 against Leckford, who crashed to 83 all out against five-wicket pair Sam Millar and Neil Watson.
Hampshire Seniors’ star all-rounder John Adams (52) and Aussie Scott Croker (44) guided Gosport Borough to 171, but an unbeaten 65 by Robbie Lattimore swept Bashley (Rydal) II to a second straight win.

So, Cricket Scotland has decreed that no league or cup cricket will take place north of the border this season and no matches of any kind (ie friendlies) can take place before 1 August 2020.
Recreational cricket across England now awaits guidance from the ECB (hopefully positive) about the next step forward, if there is one.
Here's something to think about !
If cricket, say, some short form T20 matches in August were to be given the green light, how would you feel about these  'risk' conditions being imposed ?
It's one for discussion, so any views would be welcomed, either by completing the form below or by email to vimpscricket@gmail.com
Recommendations to reduce risk at cricket
•  No hand shaking with team-mates, opposition or umpires/officials
•  No team huddle and no ‘high five’ wicket celebrations
•  No sharing of any equipment including cricket equipment other than the ball (e.g. helmets, bats, gloves)
•  Don’t share drinks, towels, lip balm, sunscreen with others (have own)
•  Don’t use saliva or sweat to polish ball during the game
•  Limit dressing room and training attendance mostly to “need to be there” coaching staff
•  Players stay two metres apart at team meetings (no touching) and similarly off-field while not batting
•  Hand sanitiser to be in team rooms, players/staff encouraged to use, plus hand washing prior to meals
•  Food is individually packaged – no finger food, shared serving 
  People mixing drinks to have gloves & mask while doing so
• All players with respiratory or gastrointestinal illness to report this immediately to club and be quarantined from training until assessed and cleared. Do not go to training. 

The England and Wales Cricket Board is expected to deliver guidelines on reopening some parts of club and recreational cricket very shortly, according to a report in The Guardian, as below.
Cricket was one of the outdoor summer sports overlooked in the government’s new lockdown guidelines, whereas golf, tennis and angling – more obviously isolated pursuits – were specifically mentioned by the prime minister.
There has been frustration among cricket clubs and the public over a lack of guidance. Clubs are unable to open and coaches unable to work without direction from governing bodies, in part for fear of legal or insurance problems. 
Basketball, lawn bowls and croquet have issued guidelines on how to practise safely. The ECB’s recreational cricket arm is understood not to have received any detailed consultation from the government before Monday’s announcement. The guidelines are being completed as a response.
At this time of year much of cricket’s activity is coaching, training and preparation in small groups, both as a source of income and recreation – and now as the first step in restarting the sport.
                                                                                Vacant lane
The guidelines are yet to be finalised but it is possible net practise will return with the proviso of one vacant lane between players. Such practise would have to be undertaken in line with government guidelines on live-in family members and proximity to those beyond a person’s household. It is expected clubs will receive guidance on managing shared spaces and social contact.
An ECB spokesperson said: “We are expecting to receive further clarity from the UK government in the coming days and in turn we will share greater detail and guidelines with the game as soon as we are able. Our priority is to support our colleagues and clubs across the game to deliver elements of outdoor cricket in a responsible way that does not compromise safety. We completely understand the level of patience that recreational players have had to demonstrate and know most will be desperate to return to the nets to practise.
“We ask for a little more time to plan the best way to deliver this opportunity to everyone as safely as possible. The health and wellbeing of everyone in cricket remains our No 1 priority. We will share further updates towards the end of the week along with a support plan for our clubs to follow.’’

Jan Bridle and his merry band of Hampshire Seventies athletes have packed their cricket kit back in the loft for another 12 months following the England Seniors’ decision to scrap this summer’s 70-plus County Championship, together with a planned winter Ashes visit to Australia.
“It’s such a disappointment, but totally understandable in the current climate,” reflected Bridle, the hero of Bournemouth’s win over RAA Butterworth in Malaysia in March 1984 (ask him about it : if you’ve an hour to spare !).
“The turnout at nets was excellent and we were looking to have another good season in a competition in which we’ve previously shone.”
The cancellation of the 70s tournament is also a blow to Elliman’s liniment and WD40, which both keep 70s cricketers pro-active. Worse still, no one in the Hampshire ranks will be able to eat and enjoy Mrs Biddlecombe’s award winning bread pudding, the highspot of a wonderful Cadnam spread at each 70s home match.
The best Geoff Beale’s Sixties team can hope for is a knock-out competition among the counties in August. The normal league programme was already scrapped.

ECB update on recreational cricket and COVID-19 following the UK government's changes affecting sport and physical activity, which take effect from Wednesday 13 May.
“We are aware that the UK Government has announced changes that affect sport and physical activity in England, which are due to come into effect on Wednesday 13 May.
“We are expecting to receive further clarity from the UK government in the coming days and in turn we will share greater detail and guidelines with the game as soon as we are able.
“Our priority is to support our colleagues and clubs across the game to deliver elements of outdoor cricket in a responsible way that does not compromise safety. 
“We completely understand the level of patience that recreational players have had to demonstrate so far, and know that most will be desperate to return to the nets to practice. We ask for a little more time to plan out the best way to deliver this opportunity to everyone as safely as possible.
“The health and wellbeing of everyone in cricket remains our No.1 priority. We will share further updates towards the end of the week along with a support plan for our clubs to follow.’’

​​• GMA Grounds Management Association (GMA, formerly the IoG) Back To Play webinar 8pm Wednesday 13 May 2020

“Suitable for both volunteers and professionals, GMA Live: ‘Back to Play’ explores our latest Covid19 interim works documents and will signpost towards relevant funding, guidance and support.”  Register: https://t.co/jpgDcvXijp 

• New online level 1 groundsmanship qualification, cost just £25!

Perfect for potential new groundstaff [Tony Oxley ?] and club members looking to get qualified, great incentives for course fees and GMA membership. 
Details: www.ageasbowl.com/cricket/cricket-board/courses/groundsmanship/groundsmanship-courses 

• Listen to Ageas Bowl head groundsperson Simon Lee and Darren Symonds of the GMA on our latest Umpire Strikes Back podcast - 
www.ageasbowl.com/cricket/cricket-board/covid19-faqs/umpstrikesback/ 

• Advice and support from GMA partner Perennial 

“We can give advice, help you access government support, help make arrangements to reduce or delay bill payments including credit debts & provide financial assistance to cover essential items, particularly food & heating. Visit our website: www.perennial.org.uk”

• Take our just for fun Grounds Quiz (answers Bank Holiday Monday 25 May)
View pdf: https://go.aws/3dr0fhK 
View on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXs1aauDk-o 
Record answers here: https://forms.gle/qGpM2RrD5cs3aYhj9 

• Check out the #HantsCGA (county groundsmanship association) web-page
www.ageasbowl.com/cricket/cricket-board/courses/groundsmanship including latest ECB and GMA advice and guidance, and 
Latest guidance and regularly updated features and articles, view more here https://bit.ly/3cplikK 

• Stay in touch with the #HantsCGA, sign up for regular updates
https://forms.gle/atEFCvb5XzvW4mb3A 
 
Finally a couple of imminent funding deadlines (details on our webpage https://bit.ly/2SWln7D):
 
• £100 ECB match fundraising (last day Thursday 14 May)
• Sport England Community Emergency Fund ( last day Wed 13 May )

Please do not hesitate to get in touch for further information or in the event of any query
 
Simon Jones, Cricket Development Manager, The Ageas Bowl
T: 02380 475653
M: 07920452537
www.ageasbowl.com