SPORTING SUMMER IS BACK ON
BOOST FOR TEST CRICKET AND FORMULA ONE FANS AS BOTH GET GREEN LIGHT TO RETURN IN BRITAIN
BRITISH sports fans were given more reason to cheer yesterday with confirmation Test cricket and Formula One will be staged on these shores this summer.
Wimbledon and The Open golf may have gone the way of the Tokyo Olympics but, coming hot on the heels of plans for the return of Premier League football, yesterday’s announcement was another encouraging sign toplevel sport is beginning to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic.
As with most other aspects of life, though, things will be far from normal, with F1 chiefs requiring government dispensation to host back-toback grands prix at Silverstone as part of a condensed season, while England cricket bosses plan to stage a three-Test series with West Indies at just two bio-secure venues.
The behind-closed doors matches will take places at Hampshire’s Ageas Bowl on July 8, followed by two Tests at Old Trafford beginning on July 16 and July 24 respectively. Both venues have been chosen in part because they have hotels on site.
The West Indies team, which agreed in principle to the tour last week, is scheduled to travel to England on June 9, and will be based at Old Trafford for quarantine and training.
One of the Old Trafford Tests has been moved from Lord’s but the MCC, the owners of the home of cricket, agreed it was the right decision for the good of the game.
‘The coronavirus has had a devastating impact on sport in general around the globe,’ said an MCC statement. ‘The clear common goal though is to find a way to bring sport back, in some form, safely and quickly.
‘As one of the largest cricket clubs in the world, MCC hopes to play a significant role, working with all parties within the game, to achieve this.’
Steve Elworthy, the England & Wales Cricket Board’s director of events, added: ‘Our main objective is to deliver a safe environment for all stakeholders including players, match officials, operational staff, essential venue staff, broadcasters and media.’
Meanwhile, Silverstone’s managing director admits plans to hold two races this summer would have been scuppered without exemption from the government’s planned 14-day quarantine for overseas visitors.
‘F1 has satisfied the government that its testing regime is extremely comprehensive and will give all the necessary guarantees that people are clear of the virus when they come back to the UK,’ Stuart Pringle said.