At last – the Warrington cricket season is about to start!

CRICKET will start in the Warrington area this Saturday, with some clubs playing warm-up matches prior to the official league season which will start on July 25 but others starting competitive games immediately.
Following guidance from the English Cricket Board (ECB) the Vivio Cheshire County League – in which Warrington and Grappenhall both play – has confirmed the competitive season will start on July 25.
Grappenhall’s first match will be at home against Sale while the 2nd XI will travel to Sale.
Warrington will be at home to Davenham, with the 2nd XI travelling in the opposite direction.
Paul Tyreman, secretary at Grappenhall, said: “Our senior players have been able to train over the last couple of weeks with good numbers training in a socially distanced way with regular breaks for hand washing.
“We are currently finalising a few details but next Saturday will see a warm up match ahead of the competitive cricket starting a week later. Details of the warm up match are still being finalised.”
The league has come up with a revised competition to be played over an eight week period.
Grappenhall and Warrington will both be in division one.
The 12 teams in the division have been split into two groups based on geography.
Teams will play eight matches, playing three team twice and two teams once.
The top team in each group will then play off in a final.
Paul said: “The league has allowed some flexibility in the format of the matches. The default format is T20, with clubs playing two T20 matches consecutively against the same team.
“However, clubs can agree between themselves to play a longer format of the game up to 50 overs if both captains agree.”
Grappenhall 3rd XI will start their season on Sunday, July 26 although their fixtures have yet to be confirmed.
The UKFast Cheshire Cricket League is planning to start it season this Saturday, although fixtures are not yet known.
It is expected the matches will follow the usual format.
Local teams in this league are Lymm Oughtrington Park, Appleton, Stretton and Glazebury.