Please see the emailed Bulletin below sent by the ECB in the evening of 8th July. I preface it with this message from the Hertfordshire Premier Cricket League (SHPCL).

“It is important to emphasise that cricket is the first recreational team game that the government has allowed to start during the current pandemic and we are therefore in a privileged position. The guidelines which are extensive and detailed must be stringently followed by all league clubs. We need to set an example and show the ECB, the Government and the wider public that with care and adherence to the new rules we can run a successful and competitive cricket league. Please, therefore read the attachments thoroughly and make sure that your club and all your membership is familiar with how the game will be run, how clubs can be adapted to comply with the requirements handed down by the ECB and what measures are necessary to keep your own members and visitors safe.”

The RCC General Committee met (virtually) on Monday and as a consequence smaller Sub-Committees were set-up to deal with our Return to Cricket. Their broad remit is to look at Playing, Availability & Ground and Clubhouse & Bar. There will be further correspondence later today, (Thursday), or on Friday, (and possibly more after that), once we have received specific changes to League & Match Rules. The SHPCL is working towards beginning the fixture programme on Saturday 18th July.

Please read-on. The ECB’s message is below.

PGB, Honorary Secretary,Reed Cricket Club.
========================================================================================================
Following the latest update from the UK Government, the ECB is pleased to announce the return of recreational cricket in England, signalling a progression from Step 3 to Step 4 of the ECB’s roadmap to return for the recreational game.

This also allows us to advise that clubs who have previously run All Stars Cricket can now do so again (we will release specific guidance for All Stars Cricket next week).

We thank you for all of your efforts in helping cricket return.

ECB has maintained a constant dialogue with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) throughout this process and we have prepared a plan to support clubs and individuals as they prepare for the return of recreational cricket, including details of adjustments which should be made to respect hygiene and social distancing requirements.

That plan covers a number of areas of the game, including:
Pre-match adaptations regarding transport and symptom checking.
In-game adaptations applying to social distancing measures, hygiene, match officials and the use of equipment.
Post-game adaptations, including the potential use of club facilities.
Advice for coaches specific to individual sessions and junior cricket.

Graphics to support this plan can be found on the ECB’s website, www.ecb.co.uk