Boris bouncer leaves kids on a sticky wicket
BLOCKING RETURN IS ‘A BITTER PILL’ FOR CLUBS
CLUB cricketers have branded Boris Johnson’s decision to block the return of competitive and kids games a “bitter pill to swallow”.
Less than 12 months after the nation rejoiced in World Cup glory with a new generation of boys and girls inspired to take up cricket, the recreational game is a barren wasteland.
While pubs and restaurants can reopen on July 4, as well as outdoor gym equipment, cricket has been told to wait.
There are fears many who had hoped to play will look to other sports instead, while regular players may well write the season off and have to be persuaded back next summer.
Shepherd’s Bush Cricket Club in West London, whose first XI play in the Middlesex Premier League, had entered a girls team into a league for the first time this summer. Now that is not going to happen.
Tim Howard, head of junior cricket at the club, said: “We were thinking we would get cricket on around July 11 or 18, so it is a bitter pill to swallow that we must keep waiting.
“Six weeks ago we got the OK to use the nets, so we installed a booking system and that has gone really well and is quite busy.
“It is a blow still not to have club cricket up and running,
but I do feel like this is even more of a blow for the kids. They are desperate for a game.
“It felt like it was very close to getting something going again, maybe adjusted cricket.
We were asked by the league to get our grounds ready for July 11 and then this.
“It has been frustrating. I thought the kids might be back playing long before adults, because you can mess around with the junior game – you can adapt it without drama.
“I’ve been very surprised they’ve not played junior matches as trials, eight-a-side matches, using two balls, something like that.”
Grants through the ECB, councils and Sport England are helping financially, and Howard said: “Without the grants we’d be really struggling.
“If we don’t get any cricket at all this year, the impact without subs, bar takings and events means we’re looking at a five-figure shortfall.
“It could have an impact on next summer, too, if we don’t play. People will find other things to do and normally cricket is a big part of their lives. We don’t want them to write it off.”
ECB chief executive Tom Harrison is hopeful of a reversal from the Government though following a positive meeting with sports minister Nigel Huddleston.
I feel this is more of a blow for the youngsters