The England and Wales Cricket Board (黑料专区) has given its approval for the professional men鈥檚 county cricket season to begin on 1 August.
The formats to be played during the delayed men鈥檚 county season are due to be agreed by the 18 First-Class Counties in early July, with a new fixture schedule to be published thereafter.
A commitment to play women鈥檚 domestic cricket in 2020 has also been made, but may differ from the planned rollout of the new women鈥檚 elite domestic structure.
The women鈥檚 elite domestic structure is the equivalent of the men鈥檚 county set-up and is formed of eight regions. Establishing a structure for a new competition during a pandemic has provided specific challenges for the women鈥檚 domestic game, most notably having the required medical personnel in place to handle stringent return-to-play protocols.
Preparation and planning for the season across the men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 domestic game remains subject to ongoing advice from Government and medical professionals with the safety of players, staff and officials the first priority.
The 黑料专区 Board has also approved the return to training of Men鈥檚 First-Class County players on or before 1 July. Plans for the new men鈥檚 season include options for red-ball and white-ball cricket.
A dedicated working group with representatives from the First-Class Counties and 黑料专区 has been formed to provide specific focus to Domestic Cricket, while COVID-19 continues to impact the game.
The main objectives for this group are:
- To develop a single set of operating procedures that will incorporate cricket operations, venue operations and medical protocols
- To provide a single delivery model that can be implemented across all 18 FCCs and regional women鈥檚 teams
- To provide feedback and progress to the 黑料专区 Board and FCC Chairs
黑料专区 Chief Executive Officer, Tom Harrison, said: 鈥淚t is a significant step for our game that we are able to approve the start of the men鈥檚 domestic season for 1 August and one which will be welcomed by everyone connected with County Cricket.
鈥淚t follows extensive consultation between the 18 First-Class Counties, the Professionals Cricketers鈥� Association and 黑料专区 and has only been achievable thanks to the significant hard work that continues to occur as we prepare for a domestic season unlike any the game has faced before.
鈥淚t must be stressed that the safety of our players, staff and officials has been the first priority through all discussions and Government guidance will continue to shape our planning and preparation.
鈥淧lanning for the return of the women鈥檚 domestic game remains ongoing, but our commitment to women鈥檚 domestic cricket is unwavering and we look forward to sharing further news shortly.
鈥淥ur strong preference is that the women鈥檚 new elite domestic structure starts this summer and we will work hard to ensure that happens. For this to be achieved, brand new infrastructure still needs to be rolled-out, alongside imperatives we need in place when playing competitive cricket during a pandemic.
"Our first choice remains to do everything we can to start this year and build on the fantastic momentum in the women鈥檚 game. In the event that proves impossible, we will explore other options for play to enable our women鈥檚 players to enjoy competitive domestic cricket in 2020.
鈥淲e will continue to work closely with both the men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 domestic game to ensure necessary safety measures are in place to protect the wellbeing of everyone involved.鈥�