LUDLOW Cricket Club skipper Louis Watkins admits the excitement is building at the Burway after grassroots cricket was given the go-ahead to restart by the Government.

The season’s start has been delayed by several weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic but the lifting of restrictions means there will be at least a couple of months of competitive action.

Watkins said: “We can’t wait, it’s great we can play again, albeit we don’t quite know in what sort of capacity – do we turn up in whites? Are we allowed in changing rooms at the same time?

“We’re all wanting a bit of enjoyment in life at the moment after being stuck in the same four walls.

“Being able to get back out there on the field is grand because even recently it didn’t seem like we were going to be playing this summer at all.

“We are waiting on the officials now to see if there are any changes to the game.

“There aren’t many sports, for example, where you can spit on the ball and rub it into your trousers – that will have to change I imagine!”

With no promotion or relegation from the Shropshire Premier – or other divisions for that matter – Watkins believes the shortened season could be vital in giving youngsters some match cricket.

There will be a champion crowned, though – with the Premier split into two groups of six teams, playing each other twice, home and away, starting on Saturday, July 25.

Fixtures have yet to be released but a date for the league final has been set – with the winners of the two groups to meet for the title on Saturday, September 26.

Ludlow are planning an inter-club game on July 18 to prepare for the restart a week later and Watkins added: “I think it’s great the way the league have done it.

“It will be a great chance to get some youngsters playing competitive first-team cricket, get them some experience ready to go for a full season next year.”

The league is yet to decide on formats for its lower divisions but Church Stretton skipper Peter Lee advised a note of caution.

“The risks aren’t as great as they were but there’s still a risk,” he said. “People are forgetting that more than 150 people a day are still dying from this virus.

“But there are members of the club that want to play so we will wait to see what the guidelines are.”

The Worcestershire League, meanwhile, is yet to release format details but Cleobury Mortimer captain Sam Evans is keen to get back at the crease.

“Cricket has always been a big part of the summer for us and I think a lot of the rules and regulations will be common sense in regards to social distancing,” he said.