the season is nearly upon us..........
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Dear All
Spring is in the air and that means the season is nearly upon us. From Ashington to Penzance, Newport to Frinton - bats have been oiled, sight screens have been painted and pencils have been sharpened.
After two years of COVID disruption we are all set for an albeit cautious return to normal. There is so much to look forward to, in what is sure to be an action-packed season.
There really is nothing better than getting back down to the cricket club to reconnect with old friends. We can't wait to get the season underway and look forward to hearing in due course about all your successes both on and off the field.
From everyone at the ECB we wish you and your club all the best for the summer ahead.
Let's Play!
On 1 April, the Government’s guidance on COVID-19 measures for grassroots sport participants and providers was lifted. To align with this policy change, ECB has also removed any cricket specific guidance relating to COVID-19. As such, clubs and leagues will no longer be required to follow any protocols aside from the single piece of public health guidance issued by UK Health Security Agency.
This good news means we have the green light to return to business as usual for the 2022 season. However, we continue to encourage players and volunteers in the game to be responsible and considerate to others.
You may also wish to early adopt MCC’s new Law 41.3 - No saliva to help reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission
Want to help to open up the game for more boys and girls this summer?
Eligible clubs can now apply for a £1,000 grant to put on cricket activity between July-September.
Submit your club's applications at https://ims.ecb.co.uk/ until 31st May 2022.
Cricket is a game for all, attracting people from a range of countries, cultures and faiths, it’s what makes the game as rich and vibrant as it is. ECB and our network strive to instil a culture for the game that breeds understanding and tolerance of religious beliefs and values, which runs through the South Asian Action Plan, launched in 2018. We also recognise that there is always more we can do in this area and we work hard to regularly review and evolve our policies and guidelines, working closely with organisations like the National Asian Cricket Council (NACC).
The ECB urges that Leagues respect the implications of Eid for members of the Muslim faith. If there is a possibility of a fixture clashing or coinciding with Eid or significant other religious festivals and a club is concerned about fulfilling a fixture then, working with opposition teams and keeping the League Fixture Secretary advised, matches may be rescheduled to a date prior to the start of the season or on a mutually convenient date outside of the religious festival period. Leagues and other competition organisers are encouraged to ensure that all clubs are flexible and accede to requests of this nature.
England & Wales Cricket Board
8th April 2022