Up to six individuals can now net together outdoors after the ECB updated its guidelines for outdoor recreational cricket activity.

The guidelines, which currently apply to England only, also allow for outdoor coaching sessions to take place, with one coach supervising up to five people. Coaches must comply with ECB safeguarding policies and be able to conduct one-to-one coaching. 

Apart from between members of the same household, social distancing of at least two metres applies to all activities.

As per the ECB’s original guidelines, there must be a free net between nets that are being used.

The guidelines allow for two or more groups of six to train at the same time as long as they remain separate. “However, clubs should carry out a risk assessment to determine the maximum capacity for their facility that can be achieved safely whilst maintaining social distancing and not exceeding the current limits on training group size,” the ECB added.

Clubhouses can partially be reopened for operational reasons, with the ECB providing the example of the necessity for first-aid equipment. Accessing the clubhouse toilets is also allowed but the bar, changing rooms and any other communal areas must remain shut. 

Using one’s own equipment is recommended by the ECB. Clubs must continue using a booking system and sanitise facilities between bookings, with a club representative present on site during hours the outdoor facilities are open. 

All competitive recreational cricket remains suspended as do any matches between and within clubs. No indoor cricket activity is allowed.

Brought to you in association with NatWest, Wisden’s Club Cricket Partner, supporting cricket at all levels for almost 40 years and a proud partner of the ECB and Chance to Shine. NatWest CricketForce helps local cricket clubs to make more from their money through free online advice and toolkits.

Follow @NatWest_Cricket and #NoBoundaries on Twitter to find out more

Read more club cricket stories