Uncertainty around future of domestic English Cricket amid coronavirus pandemic
England domestic cricket 2020 news – The English were hopeful for the return of spectators to the cricket grounds just like pre-COVID times but they suffered yet another setback with the government postponing the return of crowds to the cricket grounds by 2 weeks at the least. The decision was taken owing to a considerable rise in the coronavirus cases in the past few days. Although people who don’t follow English County cricket might not see this as making any difference to their status quo, the County Cricket Clubs who rely solely on the ticket sales apart from the ECB central funding are feeling the difference. They don’t have major financial deals with the broadcasting networks to rely their finances on.
But the fact that Country Cricket is about to resume. amid this pandemic that has engulfed the world and crippled competitive sports all around the world, is a major relief. The Bob Willis Trophy is about to be played from today in the Oval over the weekend. First-class matches would be played among the 3 groups consisting of 6 teams each making the contest being played among 18 different Counties divided among the North, Central, and South Groups. The best two teams at the end of the five 4-day matches played by each team will contest the 5-day final match at Lords.
England domestic cricket 2020 news
Amid the coronavirus pandemic, there are certain restrictions imposed over the matches in general. The use of saliva to clean the ball and bring the shine on it is banned, reducing overs from 96 to 90 in one day and setting a limit on the first innings to 120 overs. The streaming services for the County Matches will help the audience witness the resumption of County cricket in England. The fast bowlers now don’t have to look at their energy conservation side as the season, in general, is shortened now. If the pitches stay warm and hard, some pace is expected to be witnessed.
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Bob Willis Trophy is named after the legendary English fast bowler Bob Willis who passed away last December. The trophy displays an art form featuring the bowling action of Bob Willis himself which is drawn by her wife, Lauren. The suggestion to name the County Championship after the fast-bowling legend came from his friend Sir Ian Botham.
England domestic cricket 2020 news
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The resumption of the English County Championship is a solace for cricket fans all around the world. Although it wouldn’t be played traditionally in front of thousands of spectators, still it brings with itself a hope to regain normalcy in these troubling times.
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