ECB push start of their domestic season to August

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have decided to push the start of the English domestic season to August. The season was supposed to get underway in April but the coronavirus pandemic ensured its delay. This is third such postponement by the board. The previously announced starting date was 1st July.

Tom Harrison, ECB chief executive, commented, “Naturally we want to see cricket being played at every level. We remain hopeful of seeing both domestic and recreational cricket this season and planning with the PGG (Professional Game Group) has allowed us to map a number of potential scenarios for domestic play. While traditional formats of our competitions are the preference, we are not against exploring the unorthodox to ensure that we can return our players to the field.”

Many of the England Test bowlers have already started with individual training programme while observing all safety measures warranted by the government. Harrison is hopeful of the board taking lessons from this activity and implementing them in other cricketing disciplines.

“We remain hopeful of seeing both domestic and recreational cricket this season and planning with the PGG has allowed us to map a number of potential scenarios for domestic play,” Harrison added.

England are currently preparing to host West Indies for a three-match Test series which is to commence on 4th July. Both West Indies Cricket Board and ECB are trying their best to produce the safest environment for cricketers and ensure that the game resumes in a safer way.