Cricket gets go-ahead

BRIDGEND County cricketers last week got the news they had been longing for in the latest Welsh Government announcement, writes Tony Poole.

Contained in the statement from Welsh Government First Minister Mark Drakeford was a passage allowing, as from this weekend, the staging of recreational cricket together with outdoor net practice sessions.

However, matches outdoors must be limited to groups of 30 to include coaches, officers and umpires.

Cricket Wales Chief Executive Officer Leshia Hawkins was delighted with the decision, as she was fully aware of the frustration that was mounting on the Welsh club cricket scene.

She said: “Thrilled with the news, as is our Welsh cricket family, and especially glad that children will once more be able to play the game.

“But the restart is down to a lot of hard work behind the scenes over the past few months from Cricket Wales staff along with club volunteers.”

The news also delighted the SouthEast Wales Cricket League (SEWCL), who have been active in planning a competition for 2020 to replace leagues in South Wales that had been cancelled months ago. The SEWCL were due to meet earlier in the week to confirm divisions, and release further information on the 18 mini groups.

In anticipation of cricket been given the green light, they had released groups for senior matches that are due to get underway on August 1.

The main Pool A for South Wales Premier League clubs is separate, with the winners meeting their western counterparts in the final.

The relative strengths of clubs were considered and it’s resulted in the following pools:

The competition is limited to 40 overs and based around five matches per club with pool winners moving forward to knockout stages that are set to be staged at available grounds during September.