The organisation are waiting on further guidelines from the government this week, ahead of a scheduled move to Level 2 of the Island’s lockdown exit strategy on Friday. Group gatherings for controlled sports events are under consideration, with updated States guidelines expected to allow up to 40 people at any particular venue.
JCB chief executive, Craig Meredith, said: ‘If the weather holds and pitches are available we will aim to complete a full T20 tournament, a season’s worth of 40-over cricket and continue to run our junior programme throughout the summer.’
With many players already partaking in individual practice, Meredith hopes group training can resume on Friday so players can get back to their best. However, he added that player safety is ‘fundamental’ and that the JCB will be meeting this week to discuss contingencies.
‘On both a domestic and national level we want to give players the most professional return to the game possible,’ he explained. ‘We need to give them enough time to return to the high performance standard of cricket many players operate at.
‘We need to execute a plan which features safety as a priority, provide everyone with the right PPE equipment, make sure clubs and players understand any new rules in place and decide on a well-drawn out league structure.’
Meanwhile, Farmers Cricket Club have confirmed they will stage an in-house T20 friendly at Farmers Field on Saturday, if Level 2 is reached 24 hours earlier. Players will adhere to the club’s ‘Return to Cricket’ framework, which has been submitted to members of the Heath and Community Services Department, before the ground is then opened to the wider cricketing community.
A JCB trial game is likely to be held separately in the coming weeks to ensure guidelines can be followed and players are satisfied with measures in place.
