Express & Star

Cricketers are still stumped

Cricket in the South Staffordshire County League is still a ‘long way off’ according to chairman Bill Tranter – as organisers gauge opinion on its return.

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Current government guidelines insist that recreational cricket can not return, with no timeline set – while first class cricket may come back from August 1 at the earliest.

In the South Staffordshire County League, clubs have been contacted for their thoughts on returning when they are allowed – however, Tranter insists it is unlikely to be any time soon.

“There will be no cricket played until the government allows us to do so,” he said.

“We’ve met with the Birmingham League and the three other county leagues so we can put in place a season of 11 weeks, eight weeks or even six weeks, if that’s what the clubs want.

“We’re in a consultation phase with our clubs at the moment. We’ve sent a questionnaire out to see if they’re still keen to play any cricket, if possible this season.

“Obviously some clubs will say it’s impossible to stage cricket, given what the government guidelines are.

“With first class cricket currently not opening until August 1 at the earliest, there’s no immediate prospect of recreational cricket being played but we have sent out initial feelers to the clubs to find out what their initial response is should there be a possibility of playing.

“But we are completely under the control of what the government says. The social distancing that is required to play sport is paramount and cannot be overcome at the moment.

“We are at stage three of the ECB roadmap, where groups of six can congregate and practice or play a limited game, but we’re no further past that.

“All of the leagues are in the same boat, we can’t play cricket under the current public health legislation.”

Although the return of local cricket is unlikely to be brought forward this month, Tranter believes that most clubs would be ready to play within two weeks – citing July 18 as a possibility – but only if the guidelines are changed.

“The fixtures are all made, so we can have something in place whether it be a July 18 start or in the weeks following that,” he added.

“Basically, the fixtures can go in place at any time, but there is absolutely no prospect of playing cricket at the moment because of the current restrictions.

“We’re waiting for replies from the clubs to our questionnaire, but most clubs have said they could be playing again within two weeks of getting the green light. But that green light is a long way off I’m afraid.

“The plans and fixtures will be there as soon as we can do it, but we would not put anybody at risk.

“We’ve already said in the questionnaire that no club will be penalised if they do not want to play.

“For some clubs it will be impossible to adhere to social distancing and play a proper game.

“There will be no promotion or relegation in any form of league that is played and nobody will be penalised.

“Even if we play a small competitive league, which is a long way off, there will be no promotion in that.”