Cricket return on horizon with ECB funding plan

THE ENGLISH Cricket Board will supply £35.7million funding for the professional and recreational game.

The start of the cricket season has been suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak, but the ECB has now outlined a detailed financial plan to support the return of all levels of cricket.

Recreational clubs will continue to have access to £20m available through the cricket club support loan scheme, grants through the ‘Return to Cricket’ scheme and a 12-month holiday on loan repayments.

ECB chief executive officer Tom Harrison said: “It is the ECB’s responsibility to protect the whole game’s future during the financial uncertainty we face as a sport.

“We continue to work closely with all levels of the game to understand the challenges that are being presented and to map out a plan for the future.

“While I am pleased the ECB Board has been able to approve this financial support package for the remainder of this yearwe are still only at the beginning of addressing the impact of this crisis on cricket.

“We still should not underestimate the significant financial burden that is ahead of us across all levels of the game.

“We must seek to reduce the cost base across the game, as we face up to the sobering reality of what lies ahead of us.

“It remains our priority to get cricket started again this summer, from the grassroots to the elite level, and we will continue to work with

Government to try and do in a way that keeps people safe but that limits the ongoing impact of this crisis on our game.”

Local clubs may be able to return to action as soon as next month, with the Home Counties Premier League and Thames Valley Cricket League poised for a return..

A statement released by the ECB on recreational cricket said: “The ECB are keen to see the imminent and safe return of our sport at recreational level.

“We believe that cricket is a non-contact sport, with very low risks of exposure, and that it can be played safely as many other activities currently permitted.

“It is our strong desire to work with Government to see the return of recreational cricket on or around July, 4.”