Sussex Cricket League announce date for earliest possible start to season

At the beginning of lockdown the league laid out a three stage plan on how the season would pan out.

And they have kept clubs informed as they moved through each stage.

Last week after the meeting and following the statement from the ECB about no pro cricket before July 1, Sussex Cricket board member Gary Stanley an email to all clubs to keep them updated.

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The email said: “You will all have seen the recent ECB announcements that no pro cricket would take place before 1st July and that recreational cricket remains suspended indefinitely.

“Therefore, it will likely come as no surprise that the SCL Executive Committee has concluded that we must now move to Stage 3 of our plan.

“The earliest possible date for SCL cricket is now Saturday July 4 . As I said last time, this is an aspirational date that remains dependent upon Government and ECB guidance.”

If the league was able to start on July 4: -

- They will play the second half of the season as scheduled, beginning on 11th July, with everybody playing each other once. This means nine matches in 10 team divisions, eight in 9 team divisions.

- July 4 will be used to play the 26 matches, originally scheduled in the second half of the season, that were moved to May 2, in order that those teams have an equal number of matches to everyone else.

- July 4 would also be used to play Rounds 1 and 2 of the T20 competitions. which will obviously have fallen behind.

The league also asked clubs do not do anything with Play Cricket fixtures, they will be cancelled/moved by the League Admin team.

And the league have also asked for feedback from clubs on some important questions to help them plan how the season pans out.

You can visit the survey at https://s.surveyplanet.com/p2Vq-ZGVw and deadline for feedback is May 31.

The survey includes questions about how promotion and relegtion may work; will grounds be ready?; can the season be extended?; Concerns about player/umpire/scorer engagement.

Stanley added: “​As and when we are able to start playing cricket, it’s clear that there will need to be some social distancing measures in place, be it around changing rooms / tea provision or on the pitch. We will of course react to the guidance available at the time and will let you know accordingly.

“Those of you playing at the top four levels will have been sent a facilities review request by the Regulations & Playing Conditions sub-committee. About two thirds have not yet replied to this important piece of work, so if you are one of them please respond asap (to the original e-mail not this one!).

“Lastly, please look out for the excellent support being provided by SCF and make use of it. There will be a second Club webinar on 13th May which you’ll be told more about nearer the time. You are very much encouraged to attend.”

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