Just not cricket
Ayr to lose out on staging Scottish Cup showpiece
Gutted Ayr cricket chiefs will miss out on staging this year’s Scottish Cup final.
The game’s marquee event, scheduled for Cambusdoon, has fallen foul of the coronavirus crisis.
It comes with the game’s shutdown extended in Scotland until July 1.
Club chairman, Stuart Jefferson, said: “It’s pretty much as expected, sadly, and there’s not a lot they ( Cricket Scotland) could do differently.”
Ayrshire’s competitive cricket scene has been dealt a hammer blow with the news that the sport will not resume until early August.
Governing body Cricket Scotland has announced that the start of domestic action is being put back to July 1.
This essentially means that no domestic matches – either friendly or competitive – can take place before August 1.
However, the news is especially cruel for Ayr Cricket Club, who now miss out on the prestige of hosting the country’s premier knockout competition, the Scottish Cup Final, at Cambusdoon.
Chairman of Ayr Cricket Club, Stuart Jefferson, admitted he wasn’t surprised by the announcement.
He told Post Sport this week: “It’s pretty much as expected, sadly, and there’s not a lot they ( Cricket Scotland) could do differently.
“We may be able to have small practice sessions in July but no national competitions is a blow, as we were due to host the Scottish Cup final.
“Hopefully we will be first in line next year.
“I think if we get any cricket in August it will be local teams and some sort of distancing restrictions.
“We will certainly plan along those lines until advised differently.
“The next stage for us is the hope that small numbers of us could legally go and do voluntary work at the club to get everything ready for whatever we are allowed to do from July on.”
Stuart also praised the ground staff for their sterling efforts to keep the playing surface at Cambusdoon in pristine condition.
He said: “Our grounds contractor is Albert Simpson who owns Simpson and Partners and we have to give them credit because the cricket club is a part of Cambusdoon Sports Club, which also has thriving football and bowling sections.
“Albert and another contractor, AMC Landscapes, are maintaining all playing surfaces so that play can begin the minute we are allowed.
“They’re working harder than ever to keep on top of things and it would be great for the players of all sports to know the surfaces are ready whenever restrictions are lifted.”
Prestwick Cricket Club is also in a state of suspended animation with the club mothballed until further notice.
The Henry Thow Oval men have confirmed their club will stay closed until further notice.
Gus Mackay, chief executive of Cricket Scotland, said: “We very much understand that those involved in the game will be disappointed that there will be no league cricket this year and the decision has been made with a heavy heart.”
It’s understood that the Regional Associations will separately announce their intentions over “possible regional cup competitions.”
In the hope that additional cricket matches can take place in August, Cricket
Scotland and the Regional Associations, in consultation with the clubs, say they will “aim to create other friendly and, potentially, competitive fixture structures,” most likely in the T20 format.
That will, however, depend on player, official and ground availability.
Gus added: “We believe this decision brings the necessary clarity for the game in Scotland while seeking to provide, when we can, some form of cricket in 2020, working within the Scottish Government’s guidelines.
“These plans are subject to review as further information and guidance becomes available. Further announcements will be made as appropriate.”