Our league committee have told us to prepare for the scheduled April 17th start.
3 month lockdown and straight into cricket, happy days
Surprised by that. Ours are suggesting a half season be scheduled and clubs arrange their own friendlies as early as possible. Don't think anyone believes we will start a full league season with travel to games by the end of April.
Im guessing they have received government advice before telling the clubs. Leagues were confirmed last week and fixtures are due this coming week.
What difference is there between early friendlies and early league fixtures?
Friendlies don't require a full program of fixtures with travel, teams can just stick to their near neighbours for friendly games. Difficult to have a league with integrity if you can't travel more than 5 miles from home.
Given that we played senior and junior league fixtures from July of last year when no one had the vaccine, I don't see any reason why we won't be stating in mid April this year given that the most vulnerable groups will be vaccinated by then. I expect that we will continue without teas and with sanitiation breaks but otherwise playing cricket as normal
Where I live we couldn't have a friendly within 5 miles unless we played our own 2nds.
Sorry but I dont see the difference. You are getting in a car and travelling from A to B, playing cricket, and then travelling back to A again. The distance travelled has no bearing on the virus.
Obviously local outbreaks are the exception to this rule but surely no one is stupid enough to play atall in that case.
Whether it has an impact or not is irrelevant if the government has restricted travel though. I don't think anybody is stupid enough to risk a large fine for breach of restrictions in order to play a game of cricket either.
The new, highly transmissible strain of the virus that has lead us into another full on lockdown seems like a pretty good reason to think we might not be able to start cricket on time. I hope we do get cricket in April/May, but if the infections, hospital admissions and deaths aren't where they need to be then it won't happen.
I think it's also a fairly brave assumption to say all vulnerable groups will be vaccinated by then, given that proper protection requires both doses of the vaccine plus some additional time for it to take full effect. Doesn't leave a lot of leeway and nothing in the handling of the pandemic so far has exactly inspired confidence.
So surely that applies for the early friendlies you are planning aswell?
If you are allowed friendlies you'll be allowed league fixtures. Cricket is cricket.
No idea where this imaginary mileage restriction has come from.
Not if you're playing local friendlies. In our league you could quite feasibly play teams whose grounds have 85 miles between them. If those fixtures can't be played due to travel restriction then it obviously impacts on the integrity of a full league season. Whereas with friendly games, it would be perfectly legitimate to restrict your games to clubs within a short distance of your club. Given that sharing cars is also currently not allowed in Scotland, it means that travel is feasible for everyone and not just those with their own transport.
The imaginary mileage restriction, as you put it, is based on the fact that the Scottish government has restricted travel between local authority areas for quite some time now. If I can't travel outside of my local authority area then I can't go to any clubs further away than about 5 miles. Hope that clears things up.
Ah I see. I had no idea you were in Scotland and no idea there was any mileage restrictions up there. I couldnt be further from you so dont pay much attention to the rules up there. No such restrictions so far where I am fortunately! I didn't know you weren't allowed to share cars either. Sounds closer to the rules enforced in Spain than over the border in England
Maybe if they had done that in England aswell the tier system might have worked
Just wondering if anyone has heard any more news on what’s going on with the season ? We’ve been told sanitizing breaks and no teas and likely end of may start with only half a season to be played depending on numbers, Also believe football hasn’t been played for over 2 months now.
Just wondering if anyone has heard any more news on what’s going on with the season ? We’ve been told sanitizing breaks and no teas and likely end of may start with only half a season to be played depending on numbers, Also believe football hasn’t been played for over 2 months now.
In Cheshire all senior and junior leagues are preparing on the basis of all full season starting in mid-April. Some fixtures are already out and the rest are in progress.
I think it is more likely likely not that sanitising breaks will remain and teas will be suspended for another year, but I am fairly confident that we will be playing.
Warmish weather in April, now that is optimistic 😂
Seriously? Can tell you haven’t had it or lost anyone.
If they can’t make pubs and restaurants safe then team sports are a write off for the foreseeable, I think we may be playing by June at best.
Seriously? Can tell you haven’t had it or lost anyone.
If they can’t make pubs and restaurants safe then team sports are a write off for the foreseeable, I think we may be playing by June at best.
Seriously? Can tell you haven’t had it or lost anyone.
If they can’t make pubs and restaurants safe then team sports are a write off for the foreseeable, I think we may be playing by June at best.
What a very tricky topic & entirely subjective and highly emotive at this stage. But there’s some great views being shared.
My view for what it’s worth, this lockdown I’ve felt the impact of C19 much more - it seems to have touched so many people I know.
Spend as much time as you can outside - I think cricket clubs could be very important for the mental health of lots of people this summer.
We also proved as a cricket community we could implement the restrictions and guidelines quickly, effectively and sustainably
I do wonder if local “bubble” leagues will emerge again as it might be a summer in which lockdown is eased into local authority travel only.
Whatever happens I hope we get some cricket and if that means a second summer of make do and mend fixtures I can live with that.
What a very tricky topic & entirely subjective and highly emotive at this stage. But there’s some great views being shared.
My view for what it’s worth, this lockdown I’ve felt the impact of C19 much more - it seems to have touched so many people I know.
Spend as much time as you can outside - I think cricket clubs could be very important for the mental health of lots of people this summer.
We also proved as a cricket community we could implement the restrictions and guidelines quickly, effectively and sustainably
I do wonder if local “bubble” leagues will emerge again as it might be a summer in which lockdown is eased into local authority travel only.
Whatever happens I hope we get some cricket and if that means a second summer of make do and mend fixtures I can live with that.
Wow, sounds a very different experience to round here - we had to introduce a rotation policy as there were so many people wanting games, I know mates' clubs did similar too. Fixtures get published imminently, may be optimistic but hoping we stand a good chance of getting a full season in even if we still have restrictions etc.
Personally agree with being outdoors is a lot safer but last year someone on the opposition had it without knowing and ended up infecting most of his own team and a couple of our team resulting in us all isolating for 2 weeks and fixtures marked void. We only ended up playing 5 games out of 8 because of it and rain, with football not being played for nearly 3 months now I can’t see how anyone is going to start on time unless something dramatic happens. Our league asked us all to decide if the scenario is another half a season is there going to be enough players committed to playing as last year we lost a lot of players due to every game being like a friendly as they did away with promotion and relegation. I really hope we do play and we had a full fixture list and cup draws announced but it’s not looking so good now from the talks we’ve had with the league.
Our fixtures are out, on schedule aswell with full season going ahead so far
One infected bloke managed to infect 10 or more others in one game? Be truthful with us here, how closely was everybody following the guidelines that day? Were indoor changing areas closed? Along with the indoor bar after the game? Was the ball being sanitised every 5 overs? Was everybody socially distancing including batsmen running off the strip as well as no handshakes and 5 fives in the field?
I don't want that to sound like I'm judging yourself or anybody involved by the way, this is the first I have heard of an outbreak from a cricket game and I'm amazed that so many people would catch it if all the guidelines were followed.
Where do you play mate? Interesting that they're presuming a full season starting on time.South Staffordshire league
TVL have released full fixtures, starting 8th May and finishing 4th September.North Maidenhead had all their money pulled due to their support for BLM allegedly.
At least one club hasn't made it through the winter - North Maidenhead no longer in the league, replaced in div1 by High Wycombe 2s. There are a few highlighted teams in the league list, but not sure if any other clubs are gone.
North Maidenhead had all their money pulled due to their support for BLM allegedly.
Their backer objected to it apparently. That’s why they have folded.
North Maidenhead had all their money pulled due to their support for BLM allegedly.
Their backer objected to it apparently. That’s why they have folded.
If that's the risk you take in order to challenge for success at the highest level of your league structure, is it really worth it? My club is in no danger of challenging for the top honours but at least we know we have a sound plan for the club to grow and thrive in years to come that doesn't rely on the generosity of one individual.
North Maidenhead had all their money pulled due to their support for BLM allegedly.
Their backer objected to it apparently. That’s why they have folded.
Certainly not in my view, but clubs living beyond their means to pay players is endemic within the game. All it takes is for the guy putting the money in (I am yet to come across a woman wanting to be a village cricket Roman Abramovich) to leave and by that point you have alienated many of your amateur players and volunteers.100% this. No amateur club should start paying players just to be on top of a super low level. Unless there's a cooperation contract in place with the backer incl. exit strategy, paying some players will not help the club to grow. Rather use this money to build structures. That'd be the prime case for strategy follows structure where when you build something good, people will come and growth will come with it.
bloody hell - i played there from 2005-9, is that the summerleaze/gravel pits owner guy you are talking about?
On the one hand, it's mental to me that a whole club's existence could be dependent on a single benefactor. On the other, what a charming individual, pulling funding from a sports club because they support action against racism...
100% this. No amateur club should start paying players just to be on top of a super low level. Unless there's a cooperation contract in place with the backer incl. exit strategy, paying some players will not help the club to grow. Rather use this money to build structures. That'd be the prime case for strategy follows structure where when you build something good, people will come and growth will come with it.
I’m not massively comfortable naming names, as I don’t know the specifics, but there have been a few pretty reputable guys from within the TVL that have alleged that one of their key backers withdrew for the above reasons.
There is also a tweet from the secretary of the TVL that confirms there was “a dispute” with the summerleaze owner and cites that as this reasoning for withdrawal.
sounds about right, when i played there they were 'owned' by the summerleave owner - the ground is on the gravel site - so expect it is his land - and i think he bankrolled the club - he fully paid for the overseas pro/coach Paras Mhambrey who was a class player and amazing coach (but not cheap, with money, flights, house etc) and in my first 2 years when we were in Home Counties Prem 2 i think at least 5 of our players were paid and i think all were through him (a couple were paid by other sponsorship)
if he has got his knickers in a twist due to BLM then he has pulled the plug and is not letting them use/gain access to the ground
Perhaps he was offended by the vigilante vandalism of people linked to the above movement. You go round doing things like that its bound to upset some people.
I've been told by management that pubs are prepping to reopen in early/mid April. Can imagine it'll be crazy busy the first few weeks back.
I've been told by management that pubs are prepping to reopen in early/mid April. Can imagine it'll be crazy busy the first few weeks back.
Ive been told by someone who works for the NHS the Government are aiming to open pubs just after the first May bank holiday. Not sure how he has this information as hes an accountant of some sort and not sure they are the first point of contact for that sort of thing
I think its all rumours and guesswork unless you know someone inside number 10. And even then its more guesswork!
Have to say I also have it on very good authority that the current plan is for pubs to reopen early May.
However cricket should be before that so that's positive!!
Think he's having you on. Majority of civil servants don't even know what the next policy decision on Covid is going to be, let alone mid level NHS staff 😅
I would really, really hope that that's beer gardens only.
Otherwise we're going to see a 4th lockdown right in the middle of the summer.
Dr Emily Adams, a senior lecturer at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, said: "Anything that is slightly absorbent like a tennis ball or some of the leathery cricket balls, it's very difficult to transfer any live virus off those. So we think that transmission from sports equipment is probably very low in these cases.
...
The study found there was a "noticeable" difference in the viral recovery of red and white cricket balls.
"Despite the white and red cricket ball surfaces both being composed of bovine leather, the different coatings used to finish the surfaces (synthetic grease on the red ball, nitrocellulose on the white ball) had a noticeable effect on viral recovery, with the red ball having a lower level", it says.
Sussex leagues aiming for full season from early May but expecting some of the Covid protocols from 2020 to be in place again e.g. no changing rooms, teas etc. at least for first half of season.
I'd have thought this will be fairly standard practice throughout the country. Hopefully all starting on time, but with the new protocols, can't say I'm overly happy about clubhouses being shut though. Unless pubs are open by then, part of the thrill of the game is afterwards in the bar
So doubt here will be the opportunity for indoor nets then- much prefer outdoors anyway!
Surely to start with they will just follow last years Covid regulations? But with a full season
We had to play a regionalised format last season to cut down travel so I think there is still an outstanding questions as to whether it will be possible to play a normal fixture list with some covid precautions or whether a regional structure will be needed again
All the papers this morning reporting March 29th which is great news.
I hope the ECB are a bit quicker off the mark this time, as this announcement will give them time to set out rules and regs etc...
Just waiting for the wettest summer on record now...
Would possibly expect a start after the 17th May, also noting comments about toilet facilities etc
You're having a laugh surely
No mate our leagues already made provisions of all games pre the 15th May being rescheduled
No mate our leagues already made provisions of all games pre the 15th May being rescheduled
Would possibly expect a start after the 17th May, also noting comments about toilet facilities etc
Trying to look around for clubs in the East London area having moved here late last year; but after getting turned down by a few clubs saying they would be unlikely to give me a game feel a bit deflated about it all...
Trying to look around for clubs in the East London area having moved here late last year; but after getting turned down by a few clubs saying they would be unlikely to give me a game feel a bit deflated about it all...
Trying to look around for clubs in the East London area having moved here late last year; but after getting turned down by a few clubs saying they would be unlikely to give me a game feel a bit deflated about it all...
It's the way forward in Saturday league cricket and maybe would of come without the pandemic.
One plus point is those who are strapped for cash, can make sandwiches at home without the awkward 10 quid match fee at the end of the game.
And it's far far less hassle much as I like a good tea myself, I'd rather pay 5 not 10 quid a game-no odds to most of the clubs unless people are there to make money out of it.
League set to start on 17th, we’ve got our first pre season friendly tomorrow, with another one on the 10th...I’ve unsuccessfully searched around the local shops for hand warmers!
Hopefully I don’t get many catches at first slip!
Amazon is your friend!! My bag is stacked full of em...
Not fussed over teas but our league has cancelled them this year
Not sure if will start on time as review for outdoor sports on 22nd April in wales so 2 days before season
Sent an email to a club in Enfield, maybe going for a net tomorrow. Always hate the first, socially awkward as it gets
So our league due to start on 17th have sent an email out saying that we won’t be allowed any spectators even though the pubs round the corner will be allowed people sitting outside having a beer. They’re asking clubs if they want to delay the season for a couple of weeks. That still wouldn’t take us up to a point where spectators are allowed but it would give them a chance to plan accordingly.
its a bit of an odd one isn't it...I thought ECB roadmap said supporters (rule of 6 - maximum limits etc.) from 12th April? Will be interesting for clubs playing on open/public space grounds as impossible to manage.
ordering through an app might be difficult for a tiny village club. last season we just had a one way system to the bar and nobody drank inside.
i appreciate all clubs are different and have varying facilities but there has to be a simpler solution.
ordering through an app might be difficult for a tiny village club. last season we just had a one way system to the bar and nobody drank inside.
i appreciate all clubs are different and have varying facilities but there has to be a simpler solution.
the rules for this are clear as mud, ive just read that nobody is allowed to watch with a drink? not sure how anyone can enforce that in a public place, if we open the bar to the public as we planned what are we supposed to tell them? you can drink as long as you dont watch us play?
seems like whatever you do to make your clubhouse meet the requirements, you will be wrong somehow
So the issue is spectator events aren't really allowed yet, I appreciate this was the case to prevent large scale professional type events but that's the way the law and roadmap has been written and small clubs have to deal with that.
The prob with having the bar at the club open is that you'll begin to attract spectators, instead of people in a park who just happen to be watching some cricket.
again.. just... you know... not open the bar??? It really isn't that hard to just not open for a few weeks longer
That's fine if it's not an important revenue stream that you can't operate without. Not convinced that is true for all clubs.
'a few weeks longer'... really isn't going to hurt though is it
Yep we did the same and are doing the same again when we open the bar up on Saturday.
We have a one way system, only 1 person allowed in at a time, and everything must be drunk outside in accordance with government social distancing guidelines.
Is this actually allowed currently? I thought no ordering of drinks inside and table service only? Maybe i've got confused on this but we are not opening bar until next round of easing measures
sat - bar was open, loads of spectators
sun - bar was open, few spectators
Tue eve for all stars - bar was open, loads of parents drinking
Wed for all stars (sending the boy to 2 a week)... bar open, loads of parents drinking
as predicted.. clubs are ignoring the 'rules' just like pubs. predictable
however, in the case of the clubs I was at, they did force people apart and really did do outdoor service only.. no one inside.. so compared to every pub I've seen which packs people in in groups.. it was actually very good. fair play to them
Cheers, so key bit here is the outdoor service...….we've interpreted rules as no ordering at bar, as we have no window at bar or close to a door to offer a table with drinks etc. we have decided its not right to open. I am pretty sure a club around the corner will open and just tell people to drink outside once they have got their drinks though. Its a key source of revenue for us
Not sure how far your bar is, but we've set up a table outside for the bar staff to take orders at and then the drinks are brought out (2 staff working) - it's worked fine so far, everyone seated and distanced properly. Was packed throughout the day last Saturday (including 2 drive bys from the local police, sure they just wanted to watch some quality cricket and absolutely weren't checking up on us!!). We are lucky to have a huge pavilion/grounds mind so that obviously helps on the capacity front.
Thanks - we did look at his but with relying solely on volunteers the practicalities of it are a little restricting right now. We are hoping come 17th May we can move to next level on the roadmap and reopen. Its worth flagging that we received an email from Sussex today warning of spot checks by Police and know that some clubs have already been pulled up on non compliance e.g risk assessment not available, protocols not being followed. So sensing this summer it will be monitored more closely
.
Agree with lockdown or not, tbh.. you might as well just open. Of hairdressers, bars, pubs, shops can all open and allow people to sit and get sloshed then it’s no different.. if anything, it’s a darn sight safer
The cops won’t give two hoots and the league can’t even get people to stop sledging let alone enforce the laws
Boris expected to announce today that Indoor Hospitality can start from next Monday (with restrictions) which means clubhouses can open up again!! Amazing news with this weather.
It will be interesting if the ECB say anything about changing rooms etc... considering Indoor sport is also going to commence next Monday.
I'm yet to visit a club who HAS NOT had the bar open etc.. Also, last two weekends some away clubs have had the changing rooms open too (I personally stayed outside but many didn't).
Can only assume this has been replicated across the country .. and yes, these are 'big' clubs and 'small' clubs so not 'village' cricket
Boris expected to announce today that Indoor Hospitality can start from next Monday (with restrictions) which means clubhouses can open up again!! Amazing news with this weather.
It will be interesting if the ECB say anything about changing rooms etc... considering Indoor sport is also going to commence next Monday.
had something through this morning, inside and outside still requires table service. this will definitely cause our club an issue as inside there is only a few tables and its very tight. im not confident we will be able to wok within these so will be another 3 weeks before we can open the bar. it is definitely affecting our availability, and the social element of the club after the game.
i dont think it helps that so many local clubs are just working as they did last summer, with a walk up bar and drinking outside
bar takings a re such a large part of our revenue because we are on the green and get a lot of passers by and spectators, im hoping they can come up with something as i cant keep drinking warm cans of lager outside the club or going home early to see the wife
If it’s not COVID it’s the rain! Not played since a pre-season friendly and looks like it will be rained off this week too.It's frustrating at the moment and the unsettled weather looks like carrying on into June. It's doubly annoying as we had that prolonged dry spell in March and April.
Anyone's ground starting to look a bit waterlogged?
It's getting close to the point where our match gets called off the day before due to standing water on the outfield.
Anyone's ground starting to look a bit waterlogged?
It's getting close to the point where our match gets called off the day before due to standing water on the outfield.
Anyone's ground starting to look a bit waterlogged?
It's getting close to the point where our match gets called off the day before due to standing water on the outfield.
We have righted blown over sightscreens & even covers.
We’ve now pegged down a tarpaulin ahead of tomorrow’s rain.
The joys of cricket.
Anyone's ground starting to look a bit waterlogged?
It's getting close to the point where our match gets called off the day before due to standing water on the outfield.
We have already agreed sats game to be a 10:45 start and 35overs to try and get a game in as wether been so bad last 2 weeks and forecast again for this weekend is rubbish late afternoon
Despite "freedom day" :( happening on Monday I havent seen any updated guidance from ECB and last updates on website still talk of step three from May. Are we expecting any changes?
What do we do with club bars? People inside ? Government restrictions end e.g. order at bar etc. but ECB says not to.
We were due to hold a social event on 23rd and 25th July but unclear on how we should operate.
Don't know about other counties, but quite a few Kent League matches have been postponed due to Covid - I heard 5 this weekend are off because of it. Apparently the games will be played after the usual end of the league - not sure there will time to catch up to be honest.
Don't know about other counties, but quite a few Kent League matches have been postponed due to Covid - I heard 5 this weekend are off because of it. Apparently the games will be played after the usual end of the league - not sure there will time to catch up to be honest.
Don't know about other counties, but quite a few Kent League matches have been postponed due to Covid - I heard 5 this weekend are off because of it. Apparently the games will be played after the usual end of the league - not sure there will time to catch up to be honest.
Why would games be off cos of Covid though? Majority players not available due to getting infected?
Don't know about other counties, but quite a few Kent League matches have been postponed due to Covid - I heard 5 this weekend are off because of it. Apparently the games will be played after the usual end of the league - not sure there will time to catch up to be honest.
Our game is off tomorrow but due to oppo not being able to get a side out. This gives us 20pts which as has been mentioned on avg points in the Two Counties league benefits us but surprised they didn’t state covid as the reason as a couple of sides in our league have used this on multiple occasions think one has played 7 out of 12 with 6 at home and the 1 away game 10mins from
Them. We are top by 20 odd points but 3rd with Avg points before this weekend.
The 2 Counties is Average Points this year, if a game is off for any reason then it just gets voided and there have been a few rumblings of sides calling games off and using Covid as the excuse, to protect their average points.