The last few days have seen cricket across the globe called off due to the coronavirus outbreak, including England’s Test series with Sri Lanka and ODI series in India and Australia.

With the rest of the sporting world cancelling fixtures left, right and centre, those craving some sporting action seem to be lost.

Fear not, though, because Chris Lee on Twitter appears to have come up with an ingenious idea: cat cricket.

I’ve invented a game of “cat cricket”.

My cat has to defend the box from my ping pong ball.

If the ball hits the cardboard, that’s a point to me. ?♂️

If she bats it away that’s a point to her. ?

First to ten wins. ??

Just look at that leg glance…  #Caturday pic.twitter.com/FBAUGYbND2

— Chris Lee ????? (@CMRLee) March 14, 2020

Seems like the BBC will be able to help out with coverage.

We have a commentary team available to cover this Chris.

Led by Jonathan AgMiaow & Phil “the cat” Tufnell of course! #bbccricket pic.twitter.com/HCbPu1IBf0

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) March 14, 2020

It appears there’s an audience for it too, with Twitter users receptive to the introduction of the new game. “I would definitely pay to watch a 5 day ‘Cat cricket’”, wrote one person. But what about the four-day stuff?

The shot played by the cat certainly impressed as well, with the paw middling it through square leg with some very sweet timing. That’s how you play across the line. 

Cat’s been watching Steve Smith circa 2019 Ashes. pic.twitter.com/Nj0WvOlgAE

— Sam Perry (@sjjperry) March 14, 2020

With The Hundred having divided the cricketing community, perhaps this is the format that can unite it again.