Please see a note below from the WDCU Executive Committee regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus).

“In light of the rapidly developing situation in relation to COVID-19 (coronavirus), we have decided to contact all clubs regarding this.  You may have seen that Cricket Scotland have issued a statement on the matter, which is broadly consistent with what we note below. Although the situation is changing by the day, there are a number of issues which have become clearer from yesterdays advice from both UK and Scottish Governments.

“These include the need to stop or very significantly reduce all non-essential social contact and travel, and practice social distancing or isolation where appropriate.

“In light of this, the WDCU have decided to cancel the pre-season EGM scheduled for Thursday the 16th of April.

“It remains too early to make definitive decisions or pronouncements regarding the playing calendar, but it would be prudent to expect that material and lengthy disruption of this is likely.  The WDCU committees will be giving this more detailed consideration in the coming days, and this will include discussions with Cricket Scotland where relevant.

“In the meantime, clubs require to consider very carefully, if they have not already done so, the potential ramifications for any overseas players that they have made arrangements to engage for the coming season. It is of course very possible that they may not be able to enter the country at all.

!This is a very difficult and challenging situation for everyone and we will update clubs as soon as practicable.”

Further statements will be published as the situation progresses.

Please see below a press release from Cricket Scotland regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus). Further updates will be posted as they become available.

Cricket Scotland press release – Coronavirus statement

The arrangements for the pre season WDCU EGM are as above. Papers for the meeting will be forwarded in due course. Please remember it is important that you attend this meeting as information for the season ahead will be provided along with your cricket ball order.

The final of the 2019 Greenwood Trophy which unfortunately didn’t get played last season has now been rearranged. The final between Dean Park and Victoria will now be held at Scott Ellis Field Kilmarnock on Sunday 10th May with a start time of 1pm. Hopefully the weather will play ball and the game will go ahead!!

Having consulted with sportscotland, our plan is to wait until closer to the start of the season when the governmental advice may have changed significantly in light of the evolution of the virus.

Please note current advice on infection control as follows:

You can reduce your risk of getting and spreading respiratory infections by:

• avoiding direct hand contact with your eyes, nose and mouth;
• maintaining good hand hygiene – washing hands with soap and water or alcohol hand sanitiser:

1. after coughing or sneezing;
2. after going to the toilet; and
3. before eating and drinking;

• avoiding direct contact with people that have a respiratory illness and avoiding using their personal items such as their mobile phone; and
• covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing with disposable tissues and disposing of them in the nearest waste bin after use.

Prestwick Cricket Club are holding their dinner on Friday the 20th of March at 7pm. There are two main speakers, one being Chic Young from BBC Scotland and the other Gordon Hollins, recently retired CEO of ECB and former West Lothian CC opening batsman.

For more details, and tickets, please contact the club directly.

THIS DINNER HAS NOW BEEN CANCELLED.

This year’s WoSACO dinner will once again be held at Ralston Golf Club, Strathmore Avenue (off Glasgow Road), Ralston, Paisley, PA1 3DT on Friday, 13 March 2020, starting at 7.30pm. The price is £25 per head.

The speaker will be Sue Strachan, newly appointed President-Elect, Cricket Scotland. An additional speaker may be arranged.

In order to gauge interest in the event, Jim McClymont would be grateful if you could let him know if you, your friends and any club members are likely to attend by emailing him (jmbmcclymont@gmail.com), or phoning (0141-587 4820 or 07504-702697), by Sunday, 1 March.

As usual, the evening’s proceedings will also include a raffle. Donations of additional prizes will be gratefully received on the night.

Irvine CC are on the look out for a Head Coach for season 2020. Please see more information on the role in the attached form. All applicants should send their CVs to Irvine CC.

Coach advert, 2020, Irvine CC

The West of Scotland branch of The Cricket Society is holding its Annual Dinner at Titwood, home of Clydesdale CC, on Monday 9 March 2020, and is once again extending an open invitation to all cricket-lovers to join them for an excellent evening’s entertainment.

This year’s guest speaker is Phillip DeFreitas (44 Test and 103 ODI caps for England), whose First Class career started in 1985 at Leicestershire CCC and took him to Lancashire CCC and Derbyshire CCC (and a couple of seasons for Boland in South Africa) before ending up again at Leicestershire CCC, whom he captained in 2003 and for part of 2004 before retiring at the end of the 2005 season.

If you think you might enjoy an evening of good food (three courses and coffee), excellent company and an eminent after dinner speaker, reserve your place (early booking appreciated but no later than Monday 2 March), at a cost of £33 per head, by contacting Ewen McConville, Secretary, The Cricket Society of Scotland:

Email: ejrmcc@gmail.com
Landline: 0141 632 4218
Mobile: 07790 064 404

Cricket Society, 2020 dinner, flyer

With only one Sunday League competition this year their are plenty Sundays available for clubs to play Sunday friendly cricket. This is a great opportunity to give players who are not getting much of a go on a Saturday an opportunity to score some runs or take some wickets. It is also a great way for introducing younger players to a longer game and giving them a chance to pit their skills against adults or other developing youngsters. It is an ideal format for social cricketers to have a fun day out. Please see below a link to a list of clubs and contacts that have indicated to the WDCU that they are interested in playing friendly games on available Sundays. Make contact and see if you can find like-minded teams and get it on!!

WDCU – Sunday friendly contacts, 2020

This list will be updated on a periodic basis.