English domestic cricket season under threat due to coronavirus

London:The England and Wales Cricket Board will discuss the possible rescheduling of the domestic season in response to the coronavirus outbreak today.

Initial talks between counties and the ECB will take place today in a telephone conference.

The ECB said last week all options were being looked at including postponements and playing games behind closed doors.

Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove said one contingency may be “playing no cricket at all” this season.

The 2020 County Championship is due to begin on 12 April.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson advised on Monday against mass gatherings in the UK amid the coronavirus outbreak – effectively cancelling all remaining sporting events.

Any proposals from the meeting on Thursday would need to be escalated to the ECB board, so no announcement of any concrete proposals is expected until the end of the week at the earliest.