Good news for cricket lovers in the west!! There will be some competitive cricket to follow in September. Please see press release regarding the Regional Series from Cricket Scotland.

Regional Series T20 Blitz confirmed for 2020

Cricket Scotland can today confirm a revised men and women’s Regional Series will take place this September across Scotland.

The Regional Series is Scotland’s premier domestic competition for the most talented cricketers in the country across the men’s and women’s game. It features three teams in the men’s competition; Eastern Knights, Caledonian Highlanders and Western Warriors, and two teams in the women’s; Eagles (representing the east of Scotland) and Stormers (representing the rest of Scotland).

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the fixtures will take place behind-closed-doors.

Fixtures

Sunday 13th September: Highlanders vs. Knights (Forthill, two T20 matches)

Sunday 13th September: Eagles vs. Stormers (Lochside, two T20 matches)

Sunday 20th September: Warriors vs. Highlanders (Titwood, two T20 matches)

Sunday 20th September: Stormers vs. Eagles (Hamilton Crescent, two T20 matches)

Saturday 26th September: Knights vs. Warriors (Grange Loan, two T20 matches)

Sunday 27th September: Men’s final (Titwood)

Those of you with good memories will remember that the Greenwood Cup final of 2019 was ever played due to poor weather. Both clubs agreed to have another go at it again last night at Titwood. Unfortunately the weather won again and no play was possible.

As there is no likelihood of the game being played safely again this season the WDCU CMC has declared that Victoria and Dean Park will be joint winners of the 2019 Greenwood Cup.

Please see below an update on a safe return to cricket from Cricket Scotland:

Following last Thursday’s announcement by the Scottish Government, please note changes to our Return to Cricket Guidance which can be accessed on our website HERE.

Please note that a number of restrictions remain in force, for example around shared travel and physical distancing before and after training and matches.

Iain Kennedy, WDCU Administrator

Please see a recent staffing message from Cricket Scotland’s CEO Gus Mackay:

“Cricket Scotland and the cricket community have faced many challenges over the past six months and will continue to do so over the short, medium and long term. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your patience, support and understanding through what has been a challenging time for us all involved in cricket. To finally get club cricket going has been a welcome relief to us all.

“Over the last six months we have reviewed the organisations operations and implemented a Reset Plan to protect the business going forward. We have seen a substantial reduction in income from our commercial and funding partners which has forced us to look at our cost base and make some difficult decisions.

“Whilst we have been able to take advantage of the Furlough Scheme, unfortunately we have had to make five positions within Cricket Scotland redundant. The roles affected are in the areas of Participation, High Performance and Performance Pathway.

“Therefore in the short term our staff who are full time and those returning from Furlough on a part-time basis will be working with you and taking on additional responsibilities. Once our income streams for 2021 are confirmed and budgets approved we will revisit our structures to best support the game.

“The key points of contacts are as follows:

Nic Wilson – Head of Development (formerly Participation)
David Bordes – Workforce Development Manager
Rosy Ryan – Women & Girls Development Manager
Ammar Ashraf – Community Engagement Manager
Barry McGeachy – Disability Cricket Development Officer
Tony McKenna – Development Officer, Aberdeen City & Shire
Alex Green – Development Officer, Highlands
Paul Macari – Head of Operations
Gordon Drummond – Performance Pathway Manager
David Johnson – Financial Controller

“If you wish to contact any of the above please visit our website for further details.”

Please see the most recent update from Cricket Scotland regarding a safe return to cricket. We can now look forward to some inter-club games over the coming weeks. Let’s hope the weather plays ball.

Local inter-club fixtures to resume from Monday 10^th August 2020

Cricket Scotland is delighted to announce the resumption of local inter-club fixtures (both adult and junior), subject to certain restrictions, with effect from Monday 10^th August 2020. Cricket Scotland is grateful to the Scottish Government and sportscotland for their help in, and approval of, this very positive step.

Detailed guidance appears on the Cricket Scotland website which must be followed. The key issues for clubs to consider, over and above those applying to the current intra club games, in playing local inter-club fixtures include: –

• Recording of all participants’ contact details
• travel to and from the ground: and
• minimising any group gatherings before, during and after the match.

The full guidance for clubs can be found HERE.

Additionally, club players and officials are encouraged to read this short online e-learning course which provides general information on staying safe and specific information on inter-club fixtures. The course can be found HERE.

The expectation is that the matches will be played within localised clusters of clubs – some matches of that nature have already been provisionally arranged by the Regional Associations or by clubs themselves. The opportunity exists, under the guidance, for clubs which are some distance from others to play matches but subject to the specific travel requirements laid down. The Regional Associations are able to advise clubs on the extent of localised clusters.

Clubs are reminded that the Club and members must be aware of and able to adapt to changes in guidance at short notice, for example, in the event of a local lockdown.

Clearly this resumption is hugely welcome but it must take place with suitable caution in the continuing pandemic, particularly in the light of fresh outbreaks in certain parts of the country.

Special guidance is being considered by the relevant Regional Associations and Cricket Scotland for clubs in Aberdeen itself and will be communicated in the next few days.

Please see the most recent Covid-19 update from Cricket Scotland. There is no move to inter-club games as yet. Intra-club games are still permitted.

Cricket Scotland press release – update on cricket activity

Please see the most recent Covid-19 update for clubs from Cricket Scotland:

“To regional contacts, junior development groups and club representatives,

“We are pleased to announce, that sportscotland have given approval for 11-a-side cricket training games to be played by children, young people and adults from Saturday 18 July, in accordance with specific guidance that can be found HERE.

“These matches must be played in an intra-club setting only, involving only members of that one club.

“We thank sportscotland for their support and hope that clubs will enjoy some ‘proper’ cricket activity within the club setting, as soon as they feel ready to do so, in compliance with the guidelines supplied.”

Please see below the most recent Covid-19 club update from the WDCU:

“Although we have now seen a return to cricket training, albeit with some significant restrictions, we thought it helpful, after the latest meeting of regional associations and Cricket Scotland on Wednesday, to remind clubs and players that no date has yet been confirmed for any return to senior match cricket, which is part of Phase 4 of the ‘route map’.  You may have seen the Cricket Scotland statement this morning, and we would reiterate that timescales and restrictions relating to this are essentially driven by the Scottish Government, not Cricket Scotland or the WDCU, and the next review date for this is the 30th July.  Previous relaxations have typically seen a delay of 7-10 days between announcement and implementation. It is also possible that any return to matches may initially be on an intra club basis (i.e, within a single club). This would clearly point to the 1st August being unlikely to be realistic if it is the case.

“The WDCU would also reiterate that any resumption of matches between different clubs (inter-club matches) would be along the lines of local friendlies only as it appears that travel has been identified as a major risk area by the authorities.”

Please see most recent safe return to local cricket message for clubs from Cricket Scotland: A WDCU statement will follow.

“Following the recent Scottish Government announcement that suggested we will be moving to Phase 4 during August, Cricket Scotland is mindful that clubs will require some time to prepare for game based activity potentially with modified rules and conditions.

“We are currently working with sportscotland to agree a return to cricket fixtures and envisage this will be introduced first at an intra-club level (matches between members within the same club) followed by local friendlies. Our intention is to agree a match format which complies with Scottish Government rules on staying safe, social distancing and the test and protect guidance. We will issue this guidance as soon as it is authorised by sportscotland.

“The timescales and restrictions relating to this are essentially driven by the Scottish Government, not Cricket Scotland and their next review date for this is on 30th July. Please be aware that previous relaxations have typically seen a staged approach, with a delay between announcement and implementation, therefore it is unlikely that inter-club fixtures (between different clubs) will be able to commence on 1st August.”

Please find below the most recent WDCU statement for clubs on arrangements for a safe return to local cricket:

“The WDCU were pleased to take part in discussions last week with many member clubs about ensuring all clubs get as much as they can out of the truncated season once the guidance allows match play to start.  We were especially buoyed by the collaborative and inclusive approach of the clubs and their understanding that all Government, Cricket Scotland and WDCU guidance must be adhered to and their appreciation that all clubs in the region will have different and varying needs and requirements.

“The clubs demonstrated a willingness to work within a framework of ‘local areas’ to organise their friendly fixtures and are free to organise fixtures as they so wish, within the aforementioned guidelines.  The WDCU would like to reiterate that, as friendly fixtures, clubs are encouraged to communicate with each other and organise the cricket that suits them best.  The WDCU is on hand to assist any club that needs help with either fixtures or ground availability issues.  All queries should, in the first instance, go to the administrator, Iain Kennedy –  admin@wdcu.co.uk.

“During the discussions, some clubs asked about the possibility of purchasing balls the WDCU has in stock.  There are currently stocks of both red and pink ‘Lords’ and ‘Oxbridge’ balls (some in limited number) which may be purchased.  Should your club need to purchase balls, please get in touch with the administrator as soon as possible so we can organise collection of the balls in a way that reduces the amount of travelling as much as possible.  It may be that one club in an ‘area’ can pick up balls for several clubs, for example.  In order to reduce travelling, we would encourage clubs to utilise the stocks of balls they have ‘at hand’ before purchasing more and remind them that, due to all fixtures being friendly, there is no regulation on make of ball used.”