TOFT Cricket Club’s move to reopen their nets is further light at the end of the tunnel for the town’s sports minded residents as the country continues to battle through the coronavirus pandemic.

First anglers, golfers and tennis players were given the green light by the Government to make a limited return to their favourite sport a fortnight ago, and now cricketers can work with bat and ball again under strict conditions.

Practicing at the Toft nets has been back in place for members since last Tuesday, when around 65 days of lockdown inactivity came to an end – albeit at a low level.

And as well as members running and leading their own sessions, coaching is available by the hour from club captain Jimmy Lomas too.

Social distancing remains in place, and hygiene is paramount too as members have been told to adhere to all instructions in line with Government and English Cricket Board directives.

In terms of what is allowed, members can practice with as many members of their own household as they wish, or with just one person from outside their own household.

A booking procedure is in place for one to two-hour slots from 9am to 8pm every day, with only one of the three nets to be in use at any one time.

Equipment and cleaning are high priority in the reopening of the nets.

Participants must take with them their own cricket balls and batting equipment to use

The bowling machine is available to use, with details given upon booking a net session with the club captain.

Hand sanitiser is available in the scorebox and participants are expected to frequently make use of it, and especially before and after use of the facility.

There is also cleaning product available in the scorebox for giving the bowling machine and the balls ‘a once over’ before and after use.

The two-metre social distancing rule applies if attending a net practice with somebody from outside the household.

Toft officials are pointing out that no sweat or saliva should come into contact with the balls at anytime.

And any member experiencing Covid-19 symptoms, or if any of the people in their household are doing so, then the facility should not be used by them.

Lomas’ one-to-one coaching sessions, at £20 per hour, will be varied for any members who wish to brush up on their skills.

“They will have a combination of bowling machine work, batting drills, bowling drills and fielding,” says a statement issued by the committee.

These sessions are £20 per hour, however packages are available if sessions are block booked.

All booking is via Jimmy on 07795171359 or jimmy_lomas@hotmail.co.uk.