WHEN cricket chiefs launched a campaign designed to get more people playing for their local amateur club, football won’t have figured in their working out.

The aim of Get the Game On, devised by the sport’s governing body, is for as many matches as possible to be played each weekend.

And then England reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

The national team’s victory after a penalty shoot-out against Colombia on Tuesday in the last 16 has caused a headache for captains and secretaries alike.

After all, for some it is hard enough to gather 11 willing participants every weekend as it is.

League officials, no doubt conscious that a figure in excess of 20 million people watched on television in midweek, have moved quickly.

“If both teams and appointed umpires are in agreement then clubs can arrange their match around England’s game against Sweden,” read a statement issued by the Cheshire County Cricket League on Wednesday.

“We realise some people will not be particularly interested in the football and feel we should stick to the schedule, but that risks clubs struggling to put out full teams or defaulting fixtures.”

Oulton Park captain Patrick Roberts told the Guardian that his side’s ECB Premier Division encounter with Timperley will start at the usual time, from 12.30pm.

However Davenham’s meeting with Sale in Division One has been brought forward to 9.30am.

Northwich are expected to stick with a coin toss shortly before 1pm before a Division Two fixture at Romiley.

The same applies to Weaverham’s crunch clash with Tattenhall at Wallerscote Road.

“A vital match against fellow-strugglers that is arguably more important than the England versus Sweden game,” said the visitors in a preview on their website.

At all of those venues, the tea interval could be extended to 90 minutes to coincide with the action in Russia.

Of course, players could be sat down for more than two hours if the football needs extra time, or another shoot-out, to settle the outcome.

By mutual agreement, up to 10 overs can be trimmed too.

Meanwhile the Cheshire Cricket League, which operates below the county league in the pyramid, has also agreed to ‘total flexibility’ with regards to matches.

“We took all suggestions into account, including postponing every game,” chairman Selwyn Stephenson wrote in an email circulated to member clubs.

“All views, from everybody that has contacted me, are encouraged – however polarising they may be.”

Barnton’s clash with Port Sunlight in Division One has been fixed for a 9am start.

Simon Hancock and his players have arranged to meet at their Broomsedge home before 8am to make sure they arrive on time.

“I’ve never got straight out of bed and gone to cricket,” he quipped.

In contrast, Winnington Park skipper Alec Butcher told the Guardian that an earlier start at Stretton, for a Division Two game, would force him to select a weakened side.

He explained: “Two of my key players work on a Saturday morning, so I don’t have a choice.”

Both leagues have insisted that captains and umpire must agree to any amendments.

If not, then normal rules apply.

Oakmere’s date with Chelford is another that will get under way at 1pm.

The Guardian is waiting on replies from Kingsley, Middlewich and Winsford with regards to their matches.

Stephenson added that clubs with multiple senior teams must field their highest-ranked sides.

Those that concede a game won’t be fined – a one-off diversion from the rulebook – but their opponents will still collect maximum points.

Fixtures (selected mid Cheshire sides only)

Saturday, July 7

Week 12

Vivio Cheshire County League

ECB Premier Division

Timperley v Oulton Park (from 12.30pm)

Division One

Sale v Davenham (from 9.30am)

Division Two

Romiley v Northwich (from 1pm)

Weaverham v Tattenhall (from 1pm)

UKFast Cheshire League

Division One

Kingsley v Ashton on Mersey (from 9.30am)

Port Sunlight v Barnton (from 9am)

Division Two

Chelford v Oakmere (from 1pm)

Middlewich v Woodford (tbc)

Stretton v Winnington Park (from 1pm)

Division Four

Westminster Park v Winsford (tbc)

Division C South

Hartford v Over Peover 2nd (tbc)