ECB joins forces with UK government for cricket's safe resumption 

No professional cricket is set to be played in England and Wales till at least July 1.

By Kashish Chadha - 11 May, 2020

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is working closely with the government of United Kingdom (UK) to ensure the safe resumption of the game. 

The COVID-19 outbreak has forced countries to opt for indefinite lockdowns and led to cricket's global suspension. 

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In the UK, PM Boris Johnson on Sunday (May 10) announced that the shutdown, enforced to try and stem the spread of the virus will continue till at least June 1. 

The ECB, on its part, has already confirmed a no-cricket summer till July 1 in wake of the health crisis.

"We are working closely with the government to establish when and how it will be safe to resume play, and we look forward to sharing our plans as they progress," ECB said in a media statement.

"ECB is aware of the government's announcement pertaining to the next steps of this crisis and we will continue to be led by their advice."

England's home Test series against the West Indies has already been affected by the extension to the suspension period, with the next lot of Test championship fixtures versus Pakistan also under serious threat at this stage. 

Pakistan, as well as Australia and Ireland, are also due to play limited-overs matches in the summer, which, if it sees no cricket, will result in losses over 300 million pounds for the ECB. 

Apart from the board's staff, leading international players have also volunteered pay cut to help the governing body survive this period. 

More than 2 lakh people have been infected by Coronavirus in the UK, including over 31,000 reported deaths. 

(Inputs from PTI)

By Kashish Chadha - 11 May, 2020

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