CRICKET teams at grassroots level are able to return to action this weekend.

For the likes of those teams playing in the Cheshire County Cricket League and the Cheshire Cricket League, the seasons never got underway in April as scheduled due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and have remained in suspension since.

But the UK Government has now given the green light for recreational cricket in England to return from Saturday, with matches adjusted to respect hygiene and social distancing.

The England Cricket Board has maintained a constant dialogue with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) throughout this process and Covid-19 secure guidance is to be published in the coming days.

ECB chief executive Tom Harrison said: “It will come as great news to our nation of recreational cricketers that the UK Government has given the green light.

“We have had a responsibility throughout this period of time to work with the UK Government and to plan alongside the cricket network to try and mitigate Covid-19’s impact on the 2020 season.

"We have maintained a constant dialogue with UK Government and they've been supportive of our desire to see recreational cricket return when it is safe.

“They now agree that with appropriate measures in place to mitigate the risk, it is safe.

“We know how difficult it has been for everyone to go without cricket this summer, and we thank you for your patience.

“As the nation's summer sport we believe we have a role to play in getting people active across the country, especially young people, and it is heartening to know that club cricket – albeit with social distancing in place and some other adaptations – will soon be back across England.”

Cheshire County Cricket League secretary Ray Hunt said: "We are finalising contingency plans in the light of the Government announcement.

"There is an ECB call to brief Premier Leagues on Wednesday afternoon following which we will confirm arrangements via exec committee Zoom call.

"This should leave us clear to update all club reps on Wednesday evening so that you can let your members know our amended league plans.

"Many thanks for your patience as we look forward to the imminent return of the club game."