Cricket leagues across South Yorkshire confirm start dates and revised formats

Club cricket is returning as coronavirus lockdown restrictions are relaxed further. Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images

The region’s three major leagues have each revealed various tweaks to their respective formats as a consequence of the delayed start.

Both the ECB Yorkshire South Premier League (YSPL) and South Yorkshire Senior Cricket League (SYSCL) will split their divisions into east and west pools with the top two clubs to meet in finals in September.

Teams in the Pontefract & District Cricket League (PDCL) will complete a shortened league campaign by playing each other only once.

The YSPL’s decision to organise a 40 overs per side League Cup format effectively means that reigning champions Doncaster Town will hold onto their ‘official’ league title for another year.

Town’s six-team eastern group includes neighbours Tickhill, Elsecar, Treeton, Wickersley Old Village and Appleby Frodingham. Each club will play each other home and away.

The western group is made up of Sheffield Collegiate, Barnsley Woollen Miners, Whitley Hall, Hallam, Wakefield Thornes and Cawthorne.

Doncaster host Wickersley and Tickhill are at home to Elsecar next Saturday (noon starts).

Conisbrough host Sprotbrough in the opening round of SYSCL Championship games.

Their group also consists of Wath, Cleethorpes and Houghton Main.

In Division One of the PDCL, Brodsworth Main will host Darton and Hatfield Town are at home to Rothwell (1pm starts).

Askern Welfare travel to Streethouse, while Hooton Pagnell go to Fairburn.

PDCL matches in Divisions 1-4 will be 36 overs per side, while games in Divisions 5-7 will be 30 overs per side.

The PDCL committee have yet to decide whether there will be promotion or relegation this year, while they have cancelled all cup competitions due to time constraints.

Clubs will be subject to a range of Covid-19 safety guidelines, including breaks for hand sanitising every six overs/20 minutes.

Players are asked to avoid car sharing, changing rooms will not be opened and no teas will be provided.

Social distancing should also be maintained at all times, with lines drawn on the pitch for batsmen to run along.