Cricket officials seek clarity over inconsistency in attendance rules

LOCAL cricket was dealt a hammer blow last night when the Northern Ireland Executive ruled that there can be no spectators when the season gets under way next Friday night.

In a blanket ban on all outdoor competitive games and sporting events, covering both grassroots and professional games, the stark statement from the Executive stated that “no spectators will be allowed”.

The Northern Cricket Union have incorporated the new ruling into the Return to Play Protocols which they issued to clubs last night but made no formal comment. A source, however, insisted it would be up to the PSNI to police it and that the NCU would not be enforcing it.

The North West have been more proactive and instantly requested clarification from both the Department of Communities and Sport NI, highlighting what appears to be the bizarre situation where people can use the clubhouse but spectators are not permitted.

They want to know if this will be revisited and have asked for a possible date when spectators may be allowed, because there are already indications that some clubs will not continue with the season if the ban lasts for the next two months.

The farcical nature of the affair is highlighted at Donemana, where not only is there a clubhouse inside the ground but you can watch the match from the road which overlooks the ground, so would police be used to prevent spectators? The North West have demanded answers.

“Today’s news obviously requires the NI Return to Play protocols to be reviewed and we will be working on this with Cricket Irelandoverthenextfewdaysto ensure the resumption of cricket in a way that supports clubs, players and spectators this summer,” said a statement from the North West board last night.

The NCU insist, however, that their season would begin as scheduled on Saturday-week, July 18, the night after Coleraine meet Ballyspallen in the first T20 Cup match in the North West.

The Return to Play protocols state that the maximum numbers allowed to gather for outdoor events/activities is currently 30 — and in cricket games 22 players, two umpires and two scorers account for 26 of those!

Clubs will be notified if there is an easing of restricting relating to this number.