Cricket may have to wait till October to make return

Middlesex Managing Director Angues Fraser has told Sky Sports News that delays to the cricket calendar could see games played in October.

Games have been postponed and cancelled because of the outbreak which is having an impact on sports on a global level.

What Angus Fraser had to say…

“This is an ever-moving situation; It’s very difficult to predict what’s going to happen. Everybody’s waiting to find out whether we’re going to be playing in May, June, July or whenever.

“Once we know that, then people like myself, the clubs, will react accordingly and get their players working towards playing again.

“The ECB, who are meeting and chatting about this, will let us know their decision, but we’re definitely expecting a delay, that is for sure – how long, I don’t know.

“It’s a different situation to football, in that football is three-quarters through a season and trying to finish. We haven’t started a season yet, so it’s about how creative the game can be to get some decent and worthwhile cricket in, whenever it is safe to play it.

“The daily updates we’re getting, and the government instruction, are moving forward at an alarming pace. Who knows what is going to happen tomorrow? We have to adapt what we’re doing accordingly.

“We can’t play cricket in November, December, but there is talk about the season carrying on until the middle of October – and fair enough, if that’s what it takes for the game to fulfil its obligations.

“The first priority for everybody is the greater social well-being of the community. But if we can carry on playing cricket till the middle of October – if that’s what it takes for us, then that’s what needs to be done.

“I don’t think any club is going to be unaffected by this. Every club is going to be affected in some way, shape or form.

“Michael Atherton has written in The Times, it’s a lot about survival; how can we best get through this incredibly difficult period, with the players, the spectators and with the game coming out of it in the best health it can.”

Cricket affected by Covid-19 (via The Cricketer)

Pakistan Super League fixtures in Karachi (March 13-10)

Everest Premier League (March 14-28)

India v South Africa ODI series (March 15-18)

Malta v Czech Republic T20 series (March 14-15)

ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Challenge League A (March 16-26)

European Cricket Series events in Montjuïc, Spain (March 16-20, 23-27)

Lancashire’s pre-season tour to South Africa and Dubai (March 17-April 1)

Surrey’s pre-season tour to Dubai (March 17-28)

Sheffield Shield final round (17-21 March)

Worcestershire’s pre-season tour to Abu Dhabi (March 18-29)

Asia XI vs World XI T20s in Bangladesh (March 21 & 22)

ACA T20 Africa Cup Kenya 2020 (March 20-28)

Thailand women’s quadrangular ODI series with Ireland, Netherlands and Zimbabwe (April 3-11)

Denmark’s tour of Perth

Somerset’s pre-season tour to Abu Dhabi (March 15-29)

New South Wales Metro v Victoria 2nd XI

Australia Women tour to South Africa (March 22-April 4)

Indian Premier League (beginning March 29)

India v South Africa ODIs

Karachi PSL games

European Cricket Series, Spain (March 16-20, 23-27)

Northants v Nottinghamshire, pre-season friendly

Japan national trials (March 14, 15, 22)

Cricket World Cup League 2 (April 1-8)

All Belgium Cricket Federation activities

England tour to Sri Lanka

Champion County match

Pakistan Super League

Gloucestershire pre-season tour to Spain (March 18-27)

Warwickshire pre-season tour to Spain (March 10-21)

Pakistan Super League

Glamorgan pre-season tour to Spain (March 19-26)

India v South Africa ODIs (March 15, 18)

World Cup League Two (April 1-8)

Bangladesh tour of Pakistan (April 1-9)

Namibia v Netherlands ODIs & T20Is (March 25-April 1)

USA trials and talent ID sessions

Yorkshire pre-season tour to India

Essex pre-season tour to Abu Dhabi

Hampshire pre-season tour to Spain

Kent pre-season tour to South Africa

Derbyshire pre-season tour to Zimbabwe

Over-50s World Cup (March 11-24)

Sussex pre-season tour to South Africa

Plunket Shield

Leicestershire pre-season tour to Spain

Durham pre-season tour to Zimbabwe

Middlesex pre-season tour to Oman

Zimbabwe v Ireland ODI/T20I series

All South Africa cricket

Northants pre-season tour to Singapore

Pakistan v Bangladesh ODI/Test

Pakistan Super League finals

Sheffield Shield

All cricket in Australia

MCC out-matches

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