Recreational cricket to return in England on July 11

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the resumption of recreational cricket from July 11 after Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave the green light.

The ECB’s announcement on Friday night came after Johnson made a U-turn after his earlier suggestion that teas and dressing rooms were among major obstacle in the amateur and grassroots game, a traditional feature of British summertime, returning amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

An ECB statement said the UK government’s announcement pertaining to recreational cricket applies at this time to England only.

The ECB said it has maintained a constant dialogue with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) throughout this process.

ECB chief executive officer, Tom Harrison, said: “We have had a responsibility throughout this period of time to work with the UK Government and to plan alongside the cricket network to try and mitigate COVID-19’s impact on the 2020 season.

Professional cricket has already been given the green light to restart, and England will take on West Indies in a three-match Test series, beginning at Southampton on July 8 which will mark the resumption of international cricket after the coronavirus-forced break.