Nixon holding out hope for cup and T20

Highland bowler Rob Nixon believes the north of Scotland cricket season’s cup and T20 competitions can still feasibly go ahead this year.

Cricket Scotland earlier this week announced no league and national cup competitions will go ahead this season, with all matches on hold until August coronavirus.

In a statement, the governing body said all regional associations will separately announce their intentions regarding regional cup competitions.

Although there is no prospect of Highland retaining their league title this season, Nixon has not given up hope of playing cricket in some form this term, insisting the cup and T20 competitions can 1 due to be condensed into a tight schedule.

Nixon said: “I didn’t see how our league was going to be played. I can see them still playing the cup and T20 competition, though. If that starts in August, the T20 is just two games on the day and then the final which is another couple of games. You can do that over two weekends – that’s not going to take much.

“In terms of the cup, if you were to play in the opening round and go on to win it you would only have played three games.

“Across August and September you could have all of that done. Now Buckie have pulled out of the league, I would be interested to see if they play in the cup and T20 should they go ahead.”

Should regional competitions be played, Nixon reckons player participation could be limited due to ongoing fears over the spread of Covid-19.

He added: “If they get the go-ahead, it’s going to be down to everybody’s own choice and whether they want to mix with 20-odd people on a match day.

“I can see a lot of people wanting to get straight back into it but there might be more than a few who don’t think it’s worth the risk, knowing we can play next year knowing we are all safe and sound.”