Cricket Is Here At Last

By in News

The government gave the green light for recreational cricket to commence from July 11th subject to adjustments in respect of hygiene and social distancing. However, frustratingly at the same time, Leicester City together with some surrounding areas were placed in a localised lockdown and Syston Town C.C., along with many other clubs, has several players that live within the restricted area. In recognition of this the Leicestershire and Rutland Cricket League pencilled in a start date for the commencement of competitive cricket on Saturdays from August 1st subject to the lockdown being lifted. The competition will run for seven weeks with divisions organised on a regional basis and games of 40 overs a side will be played. Similarly the Grantham and Melton Cricket Association started fixtures from Sunday July 26th and their season will run for eight weeks to September 27th. No promotion or relegation will apply in either league this season.

When cricket finally does get underway the guidelines include all social distancing measuresthat have become the norm in these strange times. These include sanitization of equipment and facilities before, during and after games, changing rooms and clubhouses are not be usedand players must come ready to play with no teas being provided so players must bring their own food and drink. It will certainly be a strange new world but at least the players will be able to burn off some of their pent up energy after a summer of inactivity.

It is also pleasing to report that the club has not been inactive during the summer and has continued to improve its facilities. Two new mowers for use on the square have been acquired from Richard Shepherd to replace those damaged in the floods. Richard, as always, has been a great help in getting the club through a very difficult time. Ken Cooper is photographed using one of the new machines to finally start some serious wicket preparation.I reported in the last edition on the club’s replacementnets and now, in addition, excellent new shutters have been installed to the pavilion by Adams Industrial Doors Ltd. Richard Rhodes did a splendid job for the club repairing the fence on the southern boundary and Andy Checklin will shortly be installing new windows to the pavilion. All we need now is some fine weather and some cricket to watch.

Roger