ECB share guidelines for the return of recreational cricket
Friday 10th July 2020
Following the UK government’s confirmation that recreational cricket will return in England, from Saturday 11th July, this has signalled a progression from step three to step four of the ECB’s roadmap to return for the recreational game.
The ECB has maintained a constant dialogue with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) throughout this process and have prepared guidelines to support clubs and individuals as they prepare for the return of recreational cricket.
The ECB return to cricket plan, outlines adaptations for all outdoor cricket activity and provides measures that should be taken by players, clubs, officials, volunteers, coaches, and spectators before, during and after all outdoor cricket activity as well as specific advice relating to clubs, coaches, match-play, and children’s activity.
The key update to the guidelines is the fact that as of Saturday 11 July 2020 competitive 11-a-side cricket matches can take place – as well as training – with adaptations in place to mitigate the transmission risk of COVID-19, including the overall group size (inclusive of coaches and officials) being limited to 30 people in total.
The plan for Clubs – available to download here – covers a number of areas of the game including:
• Pre-match adaptations regarding transport and symptom checking
• In-game adaptations applying to social distancing measures, hygiene, match officials and the use of equipment
• Post-game adaptations, including the potential use of club facilities
• Advice for coaches specific to individual sessions, junior and open age cricket
To support this, there is also an eight step infographic, and a document clarifying the adaptations required pre-match, in-game and post-game, available to download here.
Kent Cricket’s Director of Community Cricket Andy Griffiths said, “I am delighted that recreational cricket is back this weekend, and that the ECB guidance has been circulated to all clubs across the County, allowing them to get the game on.
“Our priority has always been to protect the health and welfare of everyone who plays, watches or follows cricket and a huge amount of work has gone into getting into this position, by both the ECB and Kent Cricket.
“We thank you for your patience and would like to remind everyone that we are here to support, so please do get in contact should you need further advice.
“It is vital that all cricket played within step four remains compliant with government and ECB guidelines and we wish you every success for the remainder of the season.”