ECB warns of "severe" impact if cricket remains behind closed doors in 2021

Speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday, prime minister Boris Johnson laid out new restrictions, including a halt to plans for the return of fans to stadia

The impact on cricket “would be severe” if games were to remain behind closed doors when the 2021 season comes around, an ECB statement has laid bare.

The announcement followed confirmation from the government that plans for spectators to return to sporting events were being paused due to a coronavirus spike.

Until recently, October 1 had been given as the date from which those plans would come into effect. However, it was then revealed on September 9 that those plans were being placed under review, with the United Kingdom’s Covid-19 alert level now at four, meaning transmission is “high or rising exponentially”.

Speaking in the House of Commons, prime minister Boris Johnson laid out new restrictions, including a halt to plans for the return of fans to stadia.

“We have to acknowledge the spread of the virus is now affecting our ability to reopen large sporting events,” said the prime minister.

“We will not be able to do this from 1 October and I recognise the implications for our sports clubs, which are the life and soul of our communities,” he added, while also stating that these measures could be in place for as long as six months.

In response, the ECB sat in on a phone call with the sports minister in the afternoon following the announcement, alongside the Rugby Football Union, the Football Association, the British Horseracing Authority and Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, the governing body for Formula One.

England's entire international summer has been played out behind closed doors

“Like other sports, the financial impact of Covid-19 on cricket has been severe, and we welcome today’s constructive call with the secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport where we discussed potential ways to overcome the significant challenges facing sports across the UK,” the ECB statement read.

“Through this crisis we have worked closely with the government to enable cricket to be played through the summer, and we will continue to work with the Government and other sporting bodies to see the safe return of crowds to stadia as soon as possible.

“The impact of having to stage cricket behind closed doors again next year would be severe. Many clubs will also face a significant financial impact if they are unable to host conferences and events over the coming months.

“Meanwhile, restrictions on indoor team sports will also mean a reduction in activity levels and could particularly hit those whose participation has been limited during the pandemic.

“We will continue to work with the government over the coming days and weeks to ensure the challenges facing our sport are understood and can be overcome.”

The news also brings confirmation that the remainder of the English domestic season will be played behind closed doors. T20 Blast Finals Day is scheduled for October 3, with all four quarter-finals set to take place on October 1.

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