Evening League scrap 2020 campaign
The 2020 AndyHire Evening Cricket League season has been scrapped due to the ongoing restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A target date of Tuesday June 23 had been in place, but it has now been announced that the league campaign has been shelved for 2020.
An outside chance of some cup fixtures remains should government guidelines change in the meantime.
A league statement said: “Following online discussions between members of the AndyHire Evening Cricket League management committee, we are reluctantly announcing that the 2020 League season is being cancelled due to the ongoing Coronavirus situation.
“We have received feedback from clubs and players for which we are grateful and have taken these opinions and concerns onboard.
“This has been the most difficult decision the committee has faced as we all want cricket to be played throughout our league, but given the ongoing issues the whole country are facing in terms of the pandemic, we cannot guarantee a safe starting date for the 2020 programme.
“We sincerely regret taking this drastic action and hope you will understand, but with the evening league being a shortened season, there appears to be little opportunity in securing seven possible dates to ensure half a season can be played.”
“We can confirm that the proposed league structure and fixture list from 2020 will be rolled over into 2021.
“We can also confirm that league fees paid by clubs for the 2020 season will be carried forward for 2021 and no member of the league management committee will receive an honorarium for the current year.
“Should there be any changes in guidance from the government, which allow cricket to be played during July, the league will look to make some of our cup competitions active should clubs wish to play.
“These competitions may take on a different format and be played in group phases to try and get some competitive cricket in for member clubs. If this is possible, we will be in immediate contact with club officials.
“We will be flexible in trying to get some cricket on.”