Dear All

As promised, this is the club’s final update on the resumption of senior cricket and incorporates a summary of the ECB’s and the league’s advice on the safe management of games. We must stress that this is a summary and members should take the time to review the ECB guidance, which is easily available on their website and is straightforward. Members should also bear in mind that returning to playing is not without risk and is optional.

General ECB guidance

• If an individual is symptomatic and/or living in a household with a possible COVID-19 infection they should remain at home and follow UK Government guidance
• The playing “bubble” is limited to a maximum of 30 participants, including coaches and officials
• Players should adhere to UK Government social distancing guidance at all times (including throughout warm-ups) of 2 metres. Except in the following limited circumstances where 1m+ is permitted: 1) wicket keepers standing up to the stumps and 2) distance between slip fielders
• No sweat or saliva to be applied to the ball at any time
• A ‘hygiene break’ should take place every six overs or every 20 minutes, whichever is sooner, in which the ball is cleaned with an antimicrobial wipe and all participants’ hands are cleaned using a suitable sanitiser. This routine should also be followed at the start of any drinks break or the close of an innings. The responsibility for sanitising the ball during the match will lie with the fielding captain, not the umpire.
• Minimise sharing of the ball in a match by limiting contact as the ball makes its way back to the bowler e.g. ball goes straight from wicketkeeper to bowler instead of around surrounding fielders
• Batters to sanitise their bat when leaving the field of play and Wicket Keepers should sanitise their gloves
• Bowlers should not hand any personal items to the umpire. Bowlers should place these items at the boundary themselves
• Communal scorebooks passed from one player to another should be avoided.
• Social distancing must always be maintained including during post-wicket celebrations, drinks breaks, tea, and tactical discussions
• Umpires should be responsible for the stumps closest to them and should be the only person replacing the bails if dislodged

Moor specific arrangements

• Hand sanitiser, wipes, and gloves etc will be available in a designated “clean zone”
• “Track and trace” sign-in forms will be available and will need to be completed by players and officials
• There will be no match day access to the shed, so the sightscreens and boundary rope will not be used during 2020
• There will be no match day access to the changing rooms or showers
• There will be no match day access to the kit room – a selection of kit will be in the designated “clean zone”
• There will be no match day access to the kitchen or bar areas
• The toilets will be open via a one-way system (main doors “in” and side doors “out”). These should be wiped down after use please.
• The bar will be open in the evening for set hours only (times tbc)

Players need to

• Come changed and ready to play
• Maintain social distancing
• Bring your own supply of hand sanitiser
• Bring enough food and drink to last for the match
• Have a waterproof or umbrella for rain breaks on bad weather gamedays and, conversely, have sunblock, hat etc for good weather gamedays: shade and cover will likely be in short supply as we think pavilions will remain shut for the duration.
• Maintain good hygiene practices during the match
• Clean down surfaces and equipment after use
• Not share personal playing equipment with other players – “don’t lend your box” now extends to all equipment!
• Respect and observe the restrictions that have been temporarily put in place

Changes to the 2020 league rules

• Season is extended to 12 September
• 1^st XI games will start at 1200 and consist of 45 overs
• 2^nd and 3^rd games will start at 1300 (apart from the two September fixtures) and consist of 40 overs
• Match day team sheets will be retained by Captains for 28 days to enable “track and tracing” if needed
• No umpiring marking or facilities marking
• No promotion or relegation

2020 membership subscriptions and match fees

• £25 membership fee (reduced from £100). Payable by the end of July please.
• 2020 match fees unchanged from 2019 (£12 for first match of the weekend, £6 for the second match of the weekend)
• Standing order players who have continued to pay their subs during the suspension of cricket will receive at the end of the season a pro-rata refund based on the amount of cricket they play during 2020

2020 Captains

Saturday 1^st XI: Sam Pimm

Saturday 2^nd XI: Nick Cottrell

Saturday 3^rd XI: Lee Rance

Sunday 1^st XI: Nick Cottrell and Sam Pimm (joint)

Sunday Blackbirds: Will Allen (team manager)

Best wishes

The Executive Committee