That’s Just Cricket

Great to hear the positive stories coming out of Cambusdoon this week.

As mentioned above, the coronavirus pandemic can bring out the best in individuals rallying to the cause.

And for small organisations like Ayr Cricket Club, these are worrying times.

Far and above the sporting side of things, clubs like Ayr live and breathe out of their social operations.

And when you take that away for a year, it doesn’t bear thinking about what may – or may not – be left.

But to hear that club memberships are at a 10- year high certainly boosts the spirits.

And it merely goes to show that communities will rally when they feel causes close to their heart are under threat.

Hopefully the likes of Ayr, Prestwick and all other local cricket clubs can be back doing what they do best before long.

Many a lovely summer afternoon has been spent by the VoR on the boundary ropes.

We can only hope that those days will return sooner rather than later.

Officials at Ayr Cricket Club have reported a “fantastic response” from members who are desperate to keep the club afloat.

Chairman Stuart Jefferson claims the number of supporters who are willing to dig deep and pay a ‘ playing membership’ at Cambusdoon has reached a 10year high.

And what ’ s even more remarkable is that the club might not even play a single competitive game this season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Governing body Cricket Scotland is expected to make an announcement tomorrow ( Thursday) on the future of the domestic season.

Current activity is suspended until June 1 and this is “likely” to be extended but Cricket Scotland will ultimately be guided by Government policies surrounding COVID- 19.

Despite the uncertainty, Ayr CC chairman Jefferson has been bowled over by the level of support shown to his club.

He told Post Sport : “We’ve had a fantastic response from members in terms of joining up and paying a playing membership.

“We probably had more people paying a playing membership this year than we have done for the last 10 years, purely to help the club, which has been fantastic.”

The chairman, though, warned that things will get tough financially if the current restrictions and lockdown remain in place.

He explained: “If the clubhouse and the bar are shut beyond mid- summer that will have another massive impact but if we have some sort of opening then I think we’ll be okay.

“It just depends on timing. If we don’t have anything over the summer, it will be a real hit for the winter months.”

Jefferson remains hopeful that some form of cricket can take place at Cambusdoon – if restrictions are relaxed.

He said: “I don’t think we’ll have a league season but we may have some games in August, if we are lucky.

“There’s a limit to how long we can go on for and I suspect we won’t have much of a competitive season. Hopefully we’ll have something happening at least.”

He added: “We’re hoping, at some stage, that we’ll be allowed to train, even if it’s in small numbers. We’ll have to wait and see what is allowed.”

Cricket Scotland Chief Executive Gus Mackay said: “The Board has decided to defer further guidance on cricket activity until early May when Government is due to announce the next steps and possible relaxations on lockdown measures.

“These are unprecedented times and we have a responsibility to follow guidelines and policies set by Governments.

“The health and wellbeing of our players, officials, clubs and others involved in our game are, of course, a priority.

“Cricket is a team sport and thus brings particular social distancing issues.”

We’ve had more paying a playing membership than we have done in 10 years