Cricket Banter

Recreational Cricket is set to resume from Saturday 11th July, with guidelines to help the clubs & players to prepare for the sports return.

From 2021 2 overseas players will be allowed in the County Championship & One-Day Cup. The change has come about due to the termination of the Kolpak registrations at the end of this season. Presently 2 overseas players are only allowed in the T20 Blast.

confirmed on sky today that the counties have voted to restart the season on 1/8 both CC and T20 will be played this year,

^^ what I don't get about this was that the smaller, non-test match playing counties wanted only white ball cricket as it is more financially beneficial. Not much of an argument as it will all be played behind closed doors. County members wanted 4 day cricket, but will the situation improve enough to allow them through the gates. Surrey had previously said that they could accommodate around 6,000 of it's 25.500 capacity.

England's 3-match test series against Pakistan has been confirmed, starting on August 5th at Old Trafford, followed by2 matches at Southampton. This will be followed by 3 T20 matches.

Prior to this series, England will host a 3 match ODI series against Ireland at Southampton , starting on June 30th.

The congested fixtures will require England to utilize may of their 55 man squad.

It's reported that Joe Root's 2nd child was born yesterday.
This allows him to return after 7 days in isolation before he's eligable for the 2nd test

England have today named a 24 man Training Group for white ball cricket, ahead of an upcoming ODI series against Ireland. This is a stand-alone group, which under present guidelines will not include players from the current Test Match Group.
Notable names of players who I believe have not represented England at this level includes, Henry Brookes, Brydon Carse, Laurie Evans, Richard Gleeson, Sam Hain, Tom Hel, & Phil Salt.

The 18 first class counties will compete in a shortened red-ball tournament from August 1st, named in honour of Bob Willis. A truncated T20 Blast will begin on August 27th.

Day 2 of a friendly red-ball match on Tuesday 28th July between Warwickshire & Worcestershire at Edgbaston will be part of a pilot programme to get spectators back to sporting events. Bears members can apply for a limited number of complimentary tickets.

^^ Surrey Middlesex Friendly took place yesterday at the Oval, the first live spectator sport since the coronavirus lockdown. Limited to 1000 spectators.