Dorset Cricket Board

Following Boris Johnson’s speech on Sunday 10th May, and the subsequent detailed guidance that has been released by government on the next steps in responding to Covid-19, we are aware that it leaves some questions unanswered in terms of what it means for Cricket. We have received some specific questions about the immediate short term possibility of using cricket club net facilities for practising with members of your household.

We fully appreciate that after weeks of lockdown, and with us all missing Cricket desperately, there is a thirst for an immediate follow up from the ECB to the Government’s latest advice. However, the purpose of this message is to ask for just a little more patience whilst the ECB works up its response to the Government’s advice in terms of what it means specifically for the use of cricket clubs and your facilities. There is a strong desire from the County Board network for this advice to arrive as soon as possible so as to give clarity to Cricket clubs. However, we are sure you will appreciate that the ECB needs to be confident that any cricket specific guidance is well thought through, is considerate of the need to protect the health and safety of the cricket family, and is fully in line with government advice. On that note we are aware that the ECB is already working closely with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, and Sport England to provide further guidance. As we have done throughout this period, Dorset Cricket will pass on any further updates as soon as we receive them.

In the meantime, the suspension of all forms of recreational cricket remains and we appreciate the Cricket family’s cooperation in adhering to this position. For those who are interested, the ECB did issue the following statement following the Government address yesterday evening:

Our continued best wishes to everyone across the county and we look forward to being in touch again in the near future.

ECB STATEMENT 12TH 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.’’