Cricket Scotland cancels national league and cups

Decision made with a ‘heavy heart’

All quiet: There will be no league and cup cricket in Scotland this year. Picture: SNS

Cricket Scotland has cancelled all league and national cup competitions this season due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

In a statement, Cricket Scotland chief executive Gus Mackay said the decision had been made with a “heavy heart”.

The governing body announced that the start of any domestic cricket activity will be put back to 1 July, from the current date of 1 June, and said some regional cricket may still be possible in August and September.

The statement read: “As a consequence of the further delay to the start of the season, Cricket Scotland announces, with the agreement of the Regional Associations, that no league cricket or national cup competitions in Scotland will take place this season.

“The Regional Associations will announce separately their intentions regarding regional cup competitions. In the hope that additional cricket matches can take place in August, Cricket Scotland and the Regional Associations in consultation with the clubs, will aim to create other friendly and, potentially, competitive fixture structures (most likely concentrating on the T20 format) in August and possibly 
September, depending on player, official and ground availability.”

Mackay said: “We very much understand that those involved in the game will be disappointed that there will be no league cricket this year and the decision has been made with a heavy heart.

“However, in all the circumstances, we believe this decision brings the necessary clarity for the game in Scotland while seeking to provide, when we can, some form of cricket in 2020, working within the Scottish Government’s guidelines.”

A decision on Scotland’s matches scheduled for June and July against New Zealand, Australia, Nepal and Namibia is set to be made in the next fortnight.