Social distancing at Ventnor
The Hampshire Cricket Board, in conjunction with the Southern Premier and Hampshire Leagues, has issued a further joint statement providing an update as to their planning for the return of cricket in the area
While recreational cricket still remains suspended and despite the recent comments from the Prime Minister, the ECB has released confirmation that they remain confident that cricket can move toward Stage 4 on the previously released roadmap to cricket, meaning that adapted game play should be possible together with COVID secure guidelines.
At the time of writing there is no indication as to when the next update will come from either the Department of Culture, Media and Sport or the ECB. In the meantime, we believe it to be prudent to continue to plan in a positive way.
In recent discussions, both leagues in Hampshire have agreed what their approach to games will be in the hope that we will still have cricket during the 2020 season.
Hampshire League
• The competitive League Season is to be abandoned, but using the existing fixture structure to provide friendly cricket for those clubs who would like it. The format will be entirely up to the teams on the day, although the HCL recommend 30/40 over matches.
• If there are clubs that are not able to take part in their originally published fixtures, they will be invited to arrange their own friendly or contact the HCL for guidance.
• The HCL have no objections to teams playing local matches subject to their ground availability, as long as they know in advance that clubs are not using the 2020 fixtures and they know their original opponents are without a game.
• The HCL encourages all members to “Get The Game On” whether playing Saturdays, Sundays and in September, making up for lost time.
Southern Premier League
• Providing 11 a side cricket is allowed in due course, the SPL will be combining the Premier Division with Division 1 and combining Division 2 and 3 to provide a competitive league cup. Entry into the competition will be completely optional and clubs will be contacted in due course
• The existing fixture structure will be used, but the league will work with clubs who still would like to enter but do not have access to their normal ground.
• Dependent on anticipated COVID secure guidelines, game format will start at 40 overs but will drop no lower than 20.
All three organisations remain committed to working with clubs to try and facilitate as much cricket as possible and will provide further ECB COVID guidance when it is available. Please continue to refer to these joint COVID-19 FAQs which is updated on a regular basis.
While recreational cricket still remains suspended and despite the recent comments from the Prime Minister, the ECB has released confirmation that they remain confident that cricket can move toward Stage 4 on the previously released roadmap to cricket, meaning that adapted game play should be possible together with COVID secure guidelines.
At the time of writing there is no indication as to when the next update will come from either the Department of Culture, Media and Sport or the ECB. In the meantime, we believe it to be prudent to continue to plan in a positive way.
In recent discussions, both leagues in Hampshire have agreed what their approach to games will be in the hope that we will still have cricket during the 2020 season.
Hampshire League
• The competitive League Season is to be abandoned, but using the existing fixture structure to provide friendly cricket for those clubs who would like it. The format will be entirely up to the teams on the day, although the HCL recommend 30/40 over matches.
• If there are clubs that are not able to take part in their originally published fixtures, they will be invited to arrange their own friendly or contact the HCL for guidance.
• The HCL have no objections to teams playing local matches subject to their ground availability, as long as they know in advance that clubs are not using the 2020 fixtures and they know their original opponents are without a game.
• The HCL encourages all members to “Get The Game On” whether playing Saturdays, Sundays and in September, making up for lost time.
Southern Premier League
• Providing 11 a side cricket is allowed in due course, the SPL will be combining the Premier Division with Division 1 and combining Division 2 and 3 to provide a competitive league cup. Entry into the competition will be completely optional and clubs will be contacted in due course
• The existing fixture structure will be used, but the league will work with clubs who still would like to enter but do not have access to their normal ground.
• Dependent on anticipated COVID secure guidelines, game format will start at 40 overs but will drop no lower than 20.
All three organisations remain committed to working with clubs to try and facilitate as much cricket as possible and will provide further ECB COVID guidance when it is available. Please continue to refer to these joint COVID-19 FAQs which is updated on a regular basis.
