The start of the cricket season seems almost certainly going to be delayed with Kent Cricket having issued a statement about the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.

With most sports having pulled the plug on fixtures for the coming months, cricket bosses are due to make decisions on the upcoming season with changes already in the pipeline.

Kent Cricket have already called their players back from a planned trip to South Africa and have now confirmed upcoming pre-season fixtures have been called off.

The club have issued the following statement:

Kent Cricket continues to closely monitor the evolving situation regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Our Kent Cricket COVID Task Force is meeting regularly to review latest guidance and ensure that decisions we take are in the best interests of the Club, its staff, its members and its wider stakeholders.

Please see below the latest updates to the Club’s upcoming programmes and events that we would like to communicate as early and clearly as possible:

DOMESTIC COUNTY CRICKET SEASON

• As previously communicated, our coaches and playing squad have safely returned from their pre-season tour in South Africa. Whilst none of the squad are considered to require self-isolation, they are, like everyone, observing appropriate social distancing protocol following the most recent Government advice.
• Our Academy and County Age Group and Pathway programmes will all be suspended for a minimum period of four weeks, at least until Sunday April 19.
• The warm-up matches against Middlesex at Merchant Taylor’s School (26-27 March) and against Hampshire at The Spitfire Ground, St. Lawrence (7-8 April) have been cancelled.
• Whilst the cricket season is officially scheduled to start in April, this is clearly under review by ECB given latest Government guidance.
• We have been asked to provide input into an ECB assessment on possible scheduling options for the season ahead and we will update members when we have more information.

COMMUNITY CRICKET PROGRAMMES

• All Schools coaching programmes will be suspended immediately for a minimum period of four weeks, at least until Sunday April 19.
• Access to our Indoor School facilities at Canterbury and Beckenham for the majority of external groups, including coaching programmes and community clubs, will also be suspended for a minimum period of four weeks, at least until Sunday April 19.
• Until Government advice changes, we will continue to provide access to our Indoor School facilities for schools that have specific plans in place to mitigate risks.

EVENTS

• 2020 Annual General Meeting (AGM) – Monday 6^th April
  • Our priority is to comply with our legal requirements and the Club Rules whilst protecting the welfare of members and staff.
  • We are exploring a number of options for our AGM and will ensure that members are kept updated once a decision has been finalised.
• An Evening with Kent Legends – Thursday 23^rd April
  • This already “sold-out” event will be postponed. A new date will be announced in due course. Tickets already issued for the event will be automatically valid for the rescheduled evening.
  • Alternatively, a refund can be obtained for this event by contacting the Club office.
• 150 Year Celebration Dinner in the Long Room at Lords – Wednesday 17^th June
  • This planned event will be postponed. Tickets have not yet gone on sale and details on the rescheduled date and how to buy tickets will be communicated when finalised.
• Westlife Concert – The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence – Friday 17^th July
  •  This event is currently scheduled to take place as planned.
• Little Mix Concert – The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence – Sunday 19^th July
  •  This event is currently scheduled to take place as planned.
• An Evening of Elton – The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence – Saturday 8^th August
  •  This event is currently scheduled to take place as planned.

OFFICE STAFF

• Many of our office based staff are already working remotely whilst we are maintain a skeleton staff in the offices at Canterbury and Beckenham.
• Please be patient as we do our best to maintain our usual levels of service.
• Where possible, please contact us by email using [email protected].

Kent Cricket’s Chief Executive, Simon Storey, said: “Clearly, the welfare of our staff, players, coaches, pathway and age group participants, members and visitors remains our top priority.

“This is new territory for all of us and we will continue to be steered by ECB and Government advice. We are working closely with other Counties to share best practise and learnings and we are also carefully modelling the financial implications to ensure that the Club can steer a pathway through these challenging times. It is important that we take a balanced approach.

“The decisions taken today to postpone or cancel events and programmes are disappointing but we believe we have acted in the best interest of everyone associated with Kent Cricket. It is clear that the situation is changing fast and we will continue to keep you informed with regular updates.

“I would like to extend my thanks to our staff, players, members, sponsors, stakeholders and supporters for their continued and loyal support. These are uncertain times for us all but we can be reassured that we are stronger when we face these challenges together.”