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CRICKET-ECB-HEALTH-VIRUS
ECB welcome British government advice over restart
LONDON, May 31, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – The England and Wales Cricket Board
will step up plans to restart the sport behind closed doors after the
British government gave the green light to return to action.
Government officials have confirmed cricket and other sports will
be able to resume from next week after the publication of health and
safety guidelines designed to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The ECB will now study the document to determine how it can help
the process of its sport emerging from the pandemic lockdown.
“We are extremely heartened by Saturday’s announcement from the
Secretary of State, which will support the return of professional,
domestic cricket behind closed doors, and provides a meaningful next
step for recreational players to begin playing at their clubs again,”
an ECB statement said on Sunday.
“Over the coming week, we will seek to understand the specific
guidance from Government’s medical teams so that we can provide
support for cricket clubs who will be eager to see their communities
safely playing in small groups.”
The Government’s approval of stage three of the return to elite sport
came only two days after the ECB pushed back the start of the domestic
season until August 1.
International cricket is pencilled in to return on July 8 after
Cricket West Indies approved in principle the tour of England.
Plans have been drawn up to create “bio-secure” environments around
each Test match, which are tentatively scheduled to start on July 8,
16, and 24 and are to be held behind closed doors in Southampton and
Manchester.
England named a 55-man training group on Friday to prepare for the
series, as well as a planned visit from Pakistan and limited-overs
games against Australia.
BSS/AFP/MRU/1825hrs