Let us play cricket or sport will suffer for years - Sussex club chairman warns government and ECB

West Sussex club Fernhurst CC is calling on the government and the ECB to act now to save the season for recreational cricket.
Fernhurst CC in action against Lashings last summerFernhurst CC in action against Lashings last summer
Fernhurst CC in action against Lashings last summer

Fernhurst Chairman Jon Meier said: “We have all been very patient but it now seems ludicrous that people can go shopping, go to the beach, the zoo and even protest and riot yet we’re not allowed to stand in a field.".

Professional football resumed last week with tackling permitted and international cricket resumes at the Ageas Bowl on July 8.

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Former England captain Michael Vaughan has added his voice to calls for a return of the amateur game: he says reopened golf clubs are booming and some cricketers may be lost to the game for good.

Fernhurst have long had a strong junior section - pictured here are their under-12s in 2018Fernhurst have long had a strong junior section - pictured here are their under-12s in 2018
Fernhurst have long had a strong junior section - pictured here are their under-12s in 2018

Meier agrees. He added “All cricket clubs have obeyed official advice since the pandemic began but enough is enough.

"We know we can stage responsible games, with all the correct health measures, but feel we are being left behind. The Department for Culture, Media & Sport and the England Cricket Board need to get a move on or the grassroots game will suffer for years. The professional game needs to remember who nurtures the next generation of stars.”

Fernhurst is near Haslemere, in the north-west corner of West Sussex. Fernhurst CC run two teams in the I’Anson league, a women’s team, a Sunday XI friendlies team and several junior sides.