ECB Bolstered By British Government's Latest Decision Of Allowing Cricket Behind Closed Doors

England and Wales Cricket Board [ECB] have wholeheartedly welcomed the government’s decision to allow the resumption of sporting activities in the country behind closed doors.

The British government officials confirmed that domestic cricket and other sporting activities will resume from next week after the publication of health and safety guidelines which is designed to avert the further proliferation of the coronavirus.

The ECB will now study the document to learn how it can help the process of cricket getting started during the current summer. The government’s decision, however, comes two days after the apex cricketing body in the country suspended domestic season till August 01.

“We are extremely heartened by Saturday’s announcement from the Secretary of State, which will support the return of professional, domestic cricket behind closed doors, and provides a meaningful next step for recreational players to begin playing at their clubs again,” an ECB statement said on Sunday as quoted by AFP.

“Over the coming week, we will seek to understand the specific guidance from Government’s medical teams so that we can provide support for cricket clubs who will be eager to see their communities safely playing in small groups.”

Also Read: Kumar Sangakkara On The New Playing Conditions In The Post-Corona World: “It’s Going To Look Really Weird”

ECB is planning to host International cricket in ‘bio-secure’ environment this summer

The recent development has given a huge fillip to the ECB, who are looking to start international cricket from July by hosting West Indies and Pakistan for Test matches at two bio-secure centers in Southampton and Manchester.

The international summer is scheduled to start with the West Indies Test series, starting July 08, after the West Indies Cricket Board agreed in principle to tour England. The Test matches have been tentatively scheduled to start on July 08, 16, and 24.

After the West Indies tour, Pakistan will tour the English isles for a series of three Tests and as many Twenty20 Internationals. Besides this, England is also slated to host Ireland and Australia for a series of white-ball internationals.

England recently named a 55-man training group to start their preparations for the upcoming summer.

Also Read: Eoin Morgan, Joe Root Amongst The List Of Players Asked To Resume Training By ECB