Local cricket leagues making preparations for a shortened season

Local cricket leagues are set to start their seasons on July 18 or 25 with ‘bubble’ divisions of up to eight clubs.

The West of England Premier League say they will put together divisions of four, six or eight teams to play as full a game as the restrictions will allow.

They plan to start their season on July 25 with games running until September 5.

The Gloucestershire County League are also proposing a seven-week league season from July 25 to September 5.

The season will be structured predominately into divisions of  eight, with teams all playing each other once.

They will minimise travel times wherever possible and divisions will be put together based on a combination of their current playing standard (dictated by what division they are currently in) as well as a club’s location.

A league statement said: “A compromise between matching the playing standard of sides with the distance travelled must be made.

“Inevitably, there may well be some games that are slightly one sided, whilst there will be other games that clubs may have to travel a reasonable distance for.

“The committee feel that in some cases it may be better to travel slightly further afield in order to ensure that the game of cricket is evenly matched and enjoyable for all those who do make the journey.”

The Cheltenham, Gloucester and Forest League say they will also organise teams into mini-divisions of six or eight, again from July 25 to September 5, and will try to keep travelling distances as small as possible and there will be no relegation or promotion depending on results in these mini-divisions.

The Cotswold Hills League are hoping to arrange fixtures from July 18, split based on standards and minimising travel.

Clubs are able to arrange friendly games from this Saturday, July 11.