our expectation is that we will facilitate cricket this year, albeit adapted, for all our clubs that want cricket. We will put firm dates and schedules behind this just as soon as we can

- The Surrey Championship & Surrey County League Com

As always, we hope this latest brief update finds everyone safe and well.

We are all heartened to see small relaxations to the policy from the Government in recent weeks which has enabled clubs to offer small group training. This is reflected in the ECB 'roadmap for return of recreational cricket' but we still need significant points of clarification to be in a position to publish any final plans for a 2020 league season.

Knowledge of what exactly ‘adapted cricket’ will or could be, is still in its infancy and before we are able to get back to anything resembling 11-a-side, 40/50+ over cricket, the Government will need to relax the guidelines on both the 2 metres social distancing ruling and 6 person group size.

None the less the scenario planning continues in earnest between the Surrey Championship and the Surrey County League and our expectation is that we will facilitate cricket this year, albeit adapted, for all our clubs that want cricket. We will put firm dates and schedules behind this just as soon as we can. It is decided meanwhile that any cricket we do play will not lead to promotion or relegation.

Further consultation with our governing bodies and with you all, as clubs, will happen before plans are finalised and put in motion.

So in parallel to us waiting for the next phase of government and ECB advice to determine what is possible from their perspective for recreational cricket, if Clubs do have feedback on what would work for them, we’d be happy to hear it. The feedback you all shared via our early lockdown survey was much appreciated and helpful but of course, is now pretty much out of date even though it was taken just a few weeks ago! Things are moving quickly even though at times it might feel like we are not moving at all.

Please email us with any considered plans and thoughts you have on what cricket you would like to see from your League this year. Any suggestion, for now, needs to fall in line with the current government and governing body guidelines as known & broadly understood today (including limits on numbers participating in a fixture, any resulting reduction to the duration of games, possible restrictions on both travel and use of changing facilities).

We will, of course, be in touch when there is more news but for now please stay safe.

The Surrey Championship & Surrey County League Committees