Cricket captains hopeful of seeing some competitive action this year

The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed a further delay to the start of the professional domestic season, with no play before August 1.

What is unclear is when club cricket is now likely to return, but there are hopes that junior games may be permitted even before that August 1 deadline.

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There’s no word yet from the Sussex Cricket League about whether they think any of their season may be salvageable – but they are hopeful. But with the likes of the Hampshire Cricket League abandoning the season, it could go either way.

And Smith would rather see some competitive cricket as opposed to friendlies.

Smith, whose Heath side were promoted to the Premier Division l;ast season, said: “It’s very frustrating but I’m hoping we get playing soon.

“With other restrictions being lifted it seems viable if we all follow some sensible guidelines. I would rather play some competitive stuff over friendlies that I think it would be hard to get motivated for.”

Lindfield skipper Simon Shivnarain believes the travelling could be the big obstacle.

He said: “I’m completely frustrated to be honest, especially with all the good weather we are having, but I do understand that these things take time to thrash out and I imagine that all leagues are liable if they don’t get the process right so we have to be patient. I think we will play some sort of cricket this season but it won’t be league cricket as I think a lot of clubs will struggle to get sides out.

“The main issue for me is travelling to games as I normally have five in my car to every away game and each team always has a few people who don’t or won’t drive.

“People are suggesting having some localised friendlies which I think is great but you have still got to travel.”

In the professional game, there’s been talk of a mini-county season being crammed into August and September, with focus on an abridged county championship contest ending in a Lord’s final, and then the Vitality Blast T20 tournament being held as close to the originally planned schedule as possible – but those ideas have not been confirmed.

But with professional football coming back later in June, it does seem strange cricket cannot get started.

Smith said: “Football seems to be about the money so I can understand but hopefully we get some positive news soon.”

Shivnarain added: “With regards to football I think it’s purely a money thing and football has more.

“Like any organisation, the county cricket clubs are probably better off furloughing there staff until August rather then playing in empty grounds from June which will lose them even more revenue.”

Burgess Hill CC captain Joe Maskell believes we will see cricket in Sussex this year.

Maskell said the latest decision to delay the decision on the start gave all teams hope of getting some game time in.

He said: “We are frustrated the cricket season is being delayed, but we appreciate there is a much bigger picture to think about, and we’re not experts in this area, so we have to take advice from the league and government.

“What we are happy with is that is hasn’t been called off too early without being given a chance, so delaying a decision in that aspect does give us hope, and I think everyone does appreciate that the league is doing all it can to get some cricket in 2020.

“I do think we will see some cricket in 2020, but I am not sure if that will be competitive cricket or just friendly cricket at this stage.”

Maskell added that he would feel safe playing but would understand if other players did not.

He said: “I would be happy to play. Every player has the opportunity to say no to playing, which is fine, but if the government tells us there is a minimal chance of catching the coronavirus from cricket and that we can play, I think most players would be happy with that.”

And news that England will play a three-Test series against the West Indies should give everyone a boost.

Maskell said: “I think the professional game is completely different scenario because they have the money to self-isolate players during a specific time frame ie England and West Indies staying at on-site hotels. And also they have regular tests.

That can’t/won’t happen in recreational cricket because the money isnt there for players to be tested before games. So its just great that we can see sport on TV.”