CHESHIRE leagues’ 2020 cricket seasons are scheduled to kick off over the next two weekends.

Following a three-month delay due to the coronavirus pandemic, Oulton Park and Davenham will be back in the swing with the rest of the Cheshire County Cricket League sides on Saturday, July 25.

The UK Fast Cheshire League are planning to be up and running again this Saturday, providing opportunities for Northwich, Barnton, Kingsley, Oakmere, Middlewich, Winnington Park, Weaverham, Winsford and Hartford to play competitively for the first time in 10 months.

All of this follows the UK Government giving the green light for recreational cricket’s return while following some strict guidelines.

These unprecedented mini-seasons running until September in both Cheshire leagues are to be regionalised, the format of which was still being settled for the UK Fast-backed competition at the time the Guardian went to press.

However, Oulton Park and Davenham now know how their summer is going to pan out.

The ECB Premier League, like the divisions below, has been split into two, providing each team with eight Saturday dates.

And the leading side in each split division after the final game on Saturday, September 12, will play-off for the title the following day.

Park are in the first XI Premier West with Widnes, Nantwich, Neston, Oxton and Chester Boughton Hall.

They will host Widnes first on July 25 and then visit Nantwich (Aug 1), entertain Neston (Aug 8), head to Oxton (Aug 15), welcome Chester BH (Aug 22), travel to Widnes (Aug 29), receive Nantwich (Sep 5) and conclude at Neston (Sep 12).

Davenham, who are to feature in first XI Division One West, open at Warrington on July 25, greet Grappenhall (Aug 1), host Bowdon (Aug 8), venture to Sale (Aug 15), entertain Brooklands (Aug 22), welcome Warrington (Aug 29), go to Grappenhall (Sep 5) and finish at Bowdon (September 12).

The sides can either play two T20 matches – with two points per game on offer – or one match of 40, 45 or 50 overs with four points at stake, the opposing captains to settle on the format, with T20 being the default.

Safety measures amid the continuing coronavirus pandemic include matches being limited to 30 people – including players, officials and coaches – while social distancing of one-metre plus must be observed, even for wicketkeepers and slips.

There will also be an absence of tea breaks.

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