THE England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has released guidelines for the use of outdoor cricket facilities during the coronavirus lockdown period.

This Wednesday (May 13) saw the return of some outdoor sports to England, but the ECB's position was that all forms of recreational cricket remained suspended, until a plan could be put in place that enabled the return of outdoor cricket without jeopardising people's safety.

However, today (May 15) has seen the ECB issue guidance for cricket clubs in relation to the reopening of nets and outfields for cricket practice.

The guidance stresses that no club should reopen their outdoor facilities if they feel unable to meet the safety requirements, and that there should be no unauthorised access.

If a club does reopen its outdoor facilities, people wishing to exercise there can only do so with members of their household, or with one other person from outside their household while keeping two metres apart at all times.

The need to maintain social distancing also means that nets should be used on an ‘every other’ basis, leaving one net free between nets, and only one-to-one coaching is permitted.

Those undertaking cricket practice should use their own equipment if possible, and no saliva or sweat should come into contact with the ball.

Clubhouses can be opened for limited purposes, such as toilet access or use of first aid equipment, but communal areas - bars, changing rooms etc - are to remain closed for the time being.

Clubs should also ensure that they have properly maintained facilities, and that they make use of a booking system for outdoor space or some other way of managing access and demand.

The full guidance can be found here.