With the announcement that the second Covid-19 lockdown will be lifted next week, we can’t wait to dust off the cricket kit again and get on with our winter programme.
Later this week we should know which tiers our regions are in and we can announce our plans to re-start the action.
During lockdown, we have been drawing up plans depending on different scenarios to allow us to return.
Cricket Shropshire Lead Officer Steve Reese said: “It was frustrating to have to cancel lots of sessions over the past month with the introduction of the second lockdown, but obviously we appreciate the need to get the virus under control.
“Our winter County Age Group was in full swing, we’d launched our Under 18s Indoor competition and the observations for County Emerging Player Programme was about to get underway before the lockdown.
“Now with the easing of restrictions and acknowledgement of the importance of physical activity for the well-being of youngsters, we are looking forward to getting busy again with a packed programme for the rest of the winter.”
Cricket Shropshire Performance Manager Ed Ashlin has been busy drawing up revised schedules for the winter trials and assessment processes ahead of picking the Shropshire County Age Group squads for 2021.
He said: “We have been in touch with all parents with a provisional revised programme and once we know exactly what we can do after lockdown is lifted we will confirm everything.
“We were already well into our winter programme before lockdown was announced with our new-look assessment sessions for the Boys Under 11s.
“Instead of the previous two-hour trial session for newcomers, this year we are holding a series of assessment sessions for our younger age groups to give the coaches more time to assess the abilities of the young cricketers.
“These sessions should also help with the development of the youngsters for when they return to the club environment.
“They have been really good so far and we’re looking forward to getting back to them with the other Age Groups – both Boys and Girls.”
Throughout lockdown, coaches Darrell Corfield, Ryan Lockley and Tyler Ibbotson have been working in schools – as permitted during lockdown – and this will continue for the rest of the term and into the new year.
Watch out for an announcement of how the Cricket Shropshire winter programme will look in December onwards within the next few days.
All activities will be run in line with the up-to-date Covid-19 guidance from the ECB and the Government.