County cricket will restart on July 26 with a behind-closed-doors friendly between Surrey and Middlesex that’s set to be streamed live on Surrey’s Facebook page.

In a statement, Surrey stated that the friendly will help both sets of players prepare for the resumption of competitive domestic cricket that they hope will happen “the following weekend.” The two-day game will be played with a red ball and will be streamed live on Surrey’s Facebook page and their website, kiaoval.com.

Alec Stewart, Surrey’s director of cricket, said: “I’m really excited to hopefully see cricket return to the Kia Oval at the end of July and then for the rest of the season.”

No competitive county cricket is set to take place before August 1 but there is hope that it will return in some form later that month. England’s international summer is scheduled to begin against West Indies at the Ageas Bowl on July 8.