Cricket Ireland tell clubs to gear up for return to action

CRICKET Ireland have told clubs to prepare for a staged return to action, with training expected to be given the go-ahead to resume in Northern Ireland on April 12.

Last year, the campaign got under way four weeks after the clubs were given the green light to train, and it is hoped that the same scenario will happen this year and should ensure a full season of cricket.

Northern Ireland is much further on than the Republic at this stage, with no indication of a return to training there, so the NCU and North West should be the first unions to get the 2021 season under way.

As neither government is expected to give initial approval to the longer formats, the NCU season is likely to begin with the Lagan Valley Steels T20 tournaments with the Robinson Services (50-over) League to follow. The same order will apply to the North West competitions.

Officials from the NCU will meet with the Premier League captains on Monday to give them an outline of their plans for the season.

With no clear way forward in the Republic yet, no decision has been taken on the staging of the Clear Currency Irish Senior Cup and National Cup competitions — both were cancelled last year — but the All-ireland T20 Cup is, as last year, expected to proceed.

For the first part of the season, the same Covid-19 protocols as last year will be in place and that should ensure a smooth start to the new campaign.

Elaine Nolan, participation director at Cricket Ireland, said: “The hard work behind understanding how to run cricket during a pandemic was largely undertaken last year.

“We all have a much informed and collective sense of what is needed to keep our players, coaches and volunteers safe and healthy as we gradually restart our sport this time around.”

With the inter-provincial series approved as elite sport, that is set to be the first action of the season — the fixtures are due to be announced today — although again initially with no spectators.