We have made late January in a month that seems to have gone on forever. But things are picking up. Our tubs have the shoots of fresh life coming up, while my parents have each had their first dose of Covid vaccine with no ill effects.
Me? I seem likely to get my first at the end of February or early March, with the second to follow sometime in April, maybe even May. It seems to knock on the head, even at this early stage, any hope of getting down to Chester le Street to see Derbyshire play Durham, even if we are allowed into grounds in small numbers by then.
Indeed, I am resigning myself to again seeing no 'live' cricket this summer. Of course I will be watching the live streams, though I pine for seeing old friends at the ground and enjoying the chat as we watch our heroes. We don't yet know what the full season format will be but July and August are likely to be ruled out for me by family stuff and work commitments. One of these years I must get down to Chesterfield, but it doesn't look likely this time around.
It's a pity, but I am looking forward to watching Ben McDermott in our colours and we seem to have pulled out a special player in the Australian wicket-keeper batsman. He certainly strikes a clean ball and will be worth watching, just like the rest of the side.
If we can get Sean Abbott over too, our side will be a match for most. With depth in batting, plenty of players with reputations to build and youth very much on their side, this will be a very exciting summer.
I can't wait!
If limited spectators are allowed in this year, it's looking like members only with a designated seat. So if you want to be there in the flesh take out membership. If you buy before January 31st. You get the early bird price
ReplyDeleteThe way the prime minister and health secretary are talking it’s sounds like it’s highly unlikely they are going to ease restrictions until September or October not good news for county cricket
ReplyDeleteI suspect that come late spring maybe May time. deaths will have dropped away a lot as all the 70+ will have been vaccinated ,so there will be clamour to open things up again. I would be surprised if members at least did not get to watch some live cricket this summer.
ReplyDeleteMost of the membership should have been vaccinated by the middle of February!
ReplyDeleteRyan was very optimistic at the forum last week. Apparently the government is pleased with way cricket has gone to great lengths to provide covid secure environments and would be looked upon favourably when restrictions were relaxed.
ReplyDeleteThey can't expect county cricket to go without spectators for 3 years, once the infections and death rates come down. We are usually talking only a few hundred mainly vaccinated people, in large venues.
ReplyDeleteYes, I fully agree with everyone here that there will be crowds, though limited for obvious reasons and with priority given to members.
ReplyDeleteMy own availability will, however be limited to see it in the flesh. The thought of a second summer without spectators at all doesn't bear thinking about.
As with all professional sport, crowds of some level are needed to keep it going
I'm a little miffed that the early bird price hasn't been extended bearing in mind we don't know what cricket we will get for our money. Whether sporting events will be part of the wider announcement on 22 Feb very unlikely that there will be admittance to grounds until June by which time the first stages of the CC will be out of the way. I was happy to donate my membership in 2020 but decided to wait this time.
ReplyDeleteLooking at the improvement in today's covid rates from ONS, I think we have a good chance of viewing cricket before too long at Derby.
ReplyDeleteCricket did do well last year in proving it could work within guidelines, both professionally and in the amateur game. Is is, for players (dressing rooms excepted) pretty much a socially distanced game anyeay, and as spectators, well,to have 400 rattling around a ground which holds 5000, distancing is no real issue.
Most will be vaccinated, and most will be wary. But at some stage spectator sport has to test the water, and the timing may make cricket the best option.