County cricket season given green light to start on August 1

County cricket will be played this summer after the ECB gave their approval for competitive domestic action to resume from August 1.

The formats played will be decided on Monday via a vote of the 18 first-class chairmen. A two-thirds majority of 12 votes is required.

Two models have been devised by the professional game group — a body of four county CEOs — with an abridged, regionalised County Championship and a Twenty20 tournament their preference. The fall-back option is a 50-over cup preceding the T20s with first-class derbies mixed in. 

The county cricket season has been given the green light to begin on August 1 by the ECB

‘It is a significant step for our game that we are able to approve the start of the men’s domestic season for August 1 and one which will be welcomed by everyone connected with county cricket,’ said ECB chief executive Tom Harrison.

‘It has only been achievable thanks to the significant hard work as we prepare for a domestic season unlike any the game has faced before.

‘The safety of our players, staff and officials has been the first priority through all discussions and Government guidance will continue to shape our planning and preparation.’

It is expected that all 18 county squads will be back in training by this Wednesday, and the ECB have also committed to the playing of women’s domestic cricket in some form in 2020. 

The 2020/21 campaign was due to start on April but was postponed because of the pandemic