
South Wilts have welcomed the revised guidelines issued by the England & Wales Cricket Board, which enables them to begin organising proper training sessions for seniors and the club’s huge junior section.
Within hours of the ECB’s announcement late last week, South Wilts held a virtual committee meeting, which gave the green light for sessions to commence under the strict social distancing regulations in force.
Chairman Rob Wade [left] said: “We have a few bits to organise before we can start properly, but I'd like to think we will be out there fairly soon.”
He added that the one-to-one coaching sessions in the last few weeks had proved a success.
But Wade stressed the South Wilts’ disappointment at the apparent slowness for the relaxation of lockdown changes to filter through to club cricket.
He pointed out that "It was fully eight days since the Government announced an easing of the lockdown and that groups of six would be allowed to exercise with social distancing.
“The Government specifically mentioned cricket and that control of individual sports would be passed back to governing bodies.
Disappointed
“In the last week we have faced questions from our members as to why they cannot now practice in groups and we really did not have an adequate answer.
“Then, finally, last Friday the ECB released their new guidelines and surprisingly enough groups of six are to be be allowed to practise with social distancing!"
The SW chairman was disappointed at the lack of information being passed down from Lord’s.
“We discussed last week the expected announcement and so we are pleased now that it is finally confirmed.
“We are pleased that after 8 days the news has been passed on to recreational cricket. However, there is no update on the return to playing adult cricket matches - positive or negative.
“We know discussions are ongoing, we know a successful T20 trial game has taken place (in Guernsey), but still not a word to the clubs or the players.
“We think that the original estimate of early July seems like an accurate one and we look forward to playing in July, August and September".
Within hours of the ECB’s announcement late last week, South Wilts held a virtual committee meeting, which gave the green light for sessions to commence under the strict social distancing regulations in force.
Chairman Rob Wade [left] said: “We have a few bits to organise before we can start properly, but I'd like to think we will be out there fairly soon.”
He added that the one-to-one coaching sessions in the last few weeks had proved a success.
But Wade stressed the South Wilts’ disappointment at the apparent slowness for the relaxation of lockdown changes to filter through to club cricket.
He pointed out that "It was fully eight days since the Government announced an easing of the lockdown and that groups of six would be allowed to exercise with social distancing.
“The Government specifically mentioned cricket and that control of individual sports would be passed back to governing bodies.
Disappointed
“In the last week we have faced questions from our members as to why they cannot now practice in groups and we really did not have an adequate answer.
“Then, finally, last Friday the ECB released their new guidelines and surprisingly enough groups of six are to be be allowed to practise with social distancing!"
The SW chairman was disappointed at the lack of information being passed down from Lord’s.
“We discussed last week the expected announcement and so we are pleased now that it is finally confirmed.
“We are pleased that after 8 days the news has been passed on to recreational cricket. However, there is no update on the return to playing adult cricket matches - positive or negative.
“We know discussions are ongoing, we know a successful T20 trial game has taken place (in Guernsey), but still not a word to the clubs or the players.
“We think that the original estimate of early July seems like an accurate one and we look forward to playing in July, August and September".