Farbrace is ‘over the moon’ as Bears get green light
THE 18 first-class counties will debate the structure of the domestic season at a meeting early next month after being given the goahead to start on August 1 by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Which formats will be played – with only the inaugural edition of The Hundred scrapped from the calendar so far – will be at the top of the agenda and a new fixture schedule will be published thereafter.
County cricket has been on hold since April because of the coronavirus pandemic, but England will return to action with three Tests against the West Indies in July at the ‘bio-secure venues’ of the Ageas Bowl and Old Trafford.
Health and safety remains the prime concern for the ECB, which has approved the return to training of first-class counties on or before July 1, while a dedicated working group has been formed to focus specifically on domestic details in the midst of a public health crisis.
The main objectives of this group include concentrating on developing a single set of operating procedures that will incorporate cricket operations, venue operations and medical protocols, and providing a single delivery model that can be implemented across all first-class counties.
Warwickshire sport director Paul Farbrace welcomed the announcement and confirmed the Bears would return to training from tomorrow.
“We’re over the moon we are now in a position to resume our preparations,’’ he said. “We have held regular conversations with the ECB and other counties about the potential season start and, while the formats are still to be confirmed, it is important we make a prompt return to training.
“The men’s squad worked exceptionally hard over the winter months and our preparations had been good before we were forced to return home early from the pre-season tour at La Manga Club in March. They have kept up their fitness and we have been in regular contact with them throughout this lockdown process.
“It’s also great to see a shared commitment to getting women’s domestic cricket under way and we look forward to playing a part in the further conversations with the ECB.
“The last three months have been incredibly tough for everyone, and our thoughts are certainly with those who have lost loved ones or been affected by the virus. Hopefully the return of domestic cricket will bring a smile to a lot of faces.”
ECB chief executive Tom Harrison added: “It is a significant step for our game that we are able to approve the start of the men’s domestic season for August 1 and one which will be welcomed by everyone connected with county cricket.”
Intermittent showers conspired to frustrate the West Indies as the opening day of the tourists’ second intra-squad encounter was washed out at a cold and damp Emirates Old Trafford.
This four-day fixture represents the final chance for those on the fringes of the side to push their case for the first Test against England, starting on July 8 at the Ageas Bowl.
The West Indies announced earlier that a Black Lives Matter logo will be displayed on their shirts in the series against England.