Fears for red-ball championship deal over medical protocols despite majority of rebel counties stepping back
- Majority of rebel counties have agreed to compete in a regional championship
- However, competition is in doubt due to concerns over ECB’s medical protocols
- Hampshire have yet to confirm whether they’ll take part in the competition
The majority of the rebel counties stepped back from the brink on Thursday by agreeing to compete in a regional red-ball championship this summer.
But several of them remain concerned about satisfying the ECB’s medical protocols, which has left the competition in doubt.
In addition, Sportsmail has learned that Hampshire are still holding out and have yet to confirm they will take part, creating an awkward position for the ECB given the club have been instrumental in salvaging international cricket, with England’s current Test match against West Indies and two more against Pakistan next month taking place at the Ageas Bowl.
Hampshire (first team manager Adrian Birrell pictured) have yet to confirm whether they’ll take part in the regional county championship this summer
The four counties with the biggest reservations about the proposed regional championship have different concerns ranging from the cost of staging the competition, travel logistics and fear of litigation in the event of a coronavirus outbreak, but the biggest remaining stumbling block remains ensuring the players’ health.
Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Gloucestershire remain concerned about players breaking down, despite backing away from Hampshire’s seemingly more intransigent position on Thursday, while Essex, Warwickshire and Somerset have all confirmed that they will take part in the four-day competition after initially favouring the 50-over alternative.
Leicestershire confirmed their position in a statement on Thursday, which stressed the importance of following medical advice, especially given that parts of their city are in local lockdown.
Leicester stressed the importance of following medical advice especially as parts of their city are in local lockdown
‘Leicestershire County Cricket Club is keen to see the return of cricket in both the red ball and white ball format,’ the statement read. ‘The club considers player and staff safety to be of paramount importance and, as a consequence, considering the local Leicester lockdown situation, it will continue to undertake the necessary risk assessments and be guided at all times by medical advice.’
The ECB’s science and medicine team will set out the framework for a competition due to start on August 1 in the next couple of days and they are expected to recommend limits for bowlers’ workload and the use of subs.
In contrast to the twice-weekly Covid-19 testing in operation for the England and West Indies series, county players will only be tested if they show symptoms or based on personal circumstances, such as a family member falling ill.
With some smaller counties still concerned about staging and travel costs, clubs based at major Test match grounds may be asked to volunteer to play three of their five group games away from home rather than take part in a draw, which would see them bear more of the financial burden.