Recreational cricket suspended until 2nd December

As a result of the UK Government’s new national COVID-19 restrictions, and subject to Members of Parliament voting today and the publication of bespoke guidance from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport [DCMS], Kent Cricket & ECB understand all organised recreational cricket activity indoors and outdoors will be suspended from 5th November until 2nd December in England.

Professional cricket that is classified as elite by the UK Government can continue as an exemption during this period.

Hospitality venues such as cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs must close; with the exception of providing food and drink for takeaway (before 10pm; and not including alcohol), click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery.

The UK Government has confirmed that school sport can continue as an exemption during this period but university sport must be suspended. Coach education programmes can continue where this cannot be undertaken online.

The health and wellbeing of everyone in the cricket community has and remains our number one priority and we are in dialogue with DCMS about how recreational cricket activity can return safely once the national lockdown ends.

Kent Cricket’s CEO, Simon Storey, said: “Whilst we share everyone’s disappointment with the news that all organised recreational cricket activity indoors and outdoors in Kent has to be suspended until 2nd December, we also understand the importance of protecting the health and safety of our community at this time.

“We are all aware how important sport is to the mental and physical wellbeing of people and we will continue to work with both DCMS and ECB and do our best to support a return to recreational cricket in Kent as soon as it is determined safe to do so.

In the meantime, our experienced and committed team of coaches working in schools will be following strict protocol to deliver our valuable programmes whilst securing the safety of staff and children.”