Last night the government confirmed that groups of six can meet outside from Monday June 1, provided people from different households observe social distancing (staying 2m apart). This applies to England, with the First Minister of Wales today announcing that people from two different households in the same local area can meet outside.

While this is good news, it is not an immediate ‘go’ for organised team sports. We are having discussions with Sport England and DCMS about what this means specifically for cricket, to then understand how we can support our clubs to initiate plans to get people back playing cricket.

Yesterday ECB published guidance for the professional domestic season, which will not restart before 1 August. Recreational cricket will work to a different timeline, but one that again, will be guided by changes to Government advice. We continue to work with DCMS to see its phased return, and it is our hope that we can provide opportunities to play to everyone this summer.

For now, the recreational game remains suspended with no cricket to be played with the sole exception of, in England, the ability to use outdoor cricket facilities (nets and pitches) for the purpose of undertaking exercise.

Like all fans of cricket, we wish to see our players, from every part of the game, safely return to the field as soon as possible. With the brilliant spell of weather, we have enjoyed lately, we too understand the immense frustration an absence of play is causing. Thank you all for your patience, as we, alongside everyone else in society, abide by the timelines we have been given by Government.

With no changes to the guidance at present the DCC outdoor training facilities will remain closed. As and when this changes we will let you know.

This week I am delighted to introduce you all to the U14s Manager, Gavin Street:

Hi All. I hope everyone has enjoyed the epic cricket weather whilst of course staying safe! It’s just typical that the Youth section cannot train or play any matches!

I am in my 3rd year as a DCC youth manager (Great fun). My son's team, who I manage, are now u14 and we were all looking forward to another competitive season. (Our parents mainly looking forward to the lazy sunny evenings watching the lads play down at Westhumble!)
Oh well, cross fingers we can get some cricket played soon in some form.

Take care all, Gavin Street

Sunday evenings continue with Rob Chave’s Lockdown Pub Quiz brought to you by DCC and Progression Group. Last Sunday saw the Bakers take the win with an impressive 86 out of 95. A decision will be taken next week as to whether or not we continue with the Pub Quiz after this Sunday - let's see if we can get a record number taking part on Sunday. The details are as follows:

Topic: DCC Pub Quiz
Time: May 31, 2020 6:30 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting at
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6963580803?pwd=dy9Qd0YrY2puMWJHVUlGUmtycWs1QT09
Meeting ID: 696 358 0803
Password: dcc1771

Looking forward to ‘seeing’ lots of you there on Sunday.

Toby Blood’s Stonegate Homes Lockdown Challenge continues with Week 10. Week 9 saw Freddie and Jack tie at the top of the table - well done to them both. All you need for this week is the edge of a bat and a ball. Check out the article picture for a summary of the 'Keepy-Uppies Advanced' Challenge.

As always don't forget to keep checking out DCC's website, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages – did you have the stones to work out who was looking sharp in this week’s instalment of the Westdaw who’s Looking Sharp’ challenge? And check out the DCC Time Vault – this week saw us go back 2 years to the Saturday 3rd XI against Thames Ditton on the 28th May 2018. Do you have your first 2 Top Trumps yet?

I am delighted to say that when we add the amounts donated back to the club from the colts winter training to the total of £1,300 currently showing on the Dorking Community Fridge & Dorking CC GoFundMe page we will have reached our £2,500 target. Thank you so much to everyone that has contributed to this.

Good to see DCC back on the Surrey Stage 1 Umpires Course League Table in 16th position with 14 registered. How many more can we get signed up this week? It would be great to have as many people signed up as possible - I'm sure that there are a lot of you out there who will be umpiring once cricket resumes. As a reminder it’s open to anyone aged 13 and over. The details can be found at http://www.surreycricketfoundation.org/news/surrey-umpires-challenge-30147/

And finally the ECB have published details of COVID-19 Support from NatWest as follows:

Whilst we’re waiting for cricket to return, if you’re looking for some new inspiration and support for home-schooling to keep young cricket fans and future players entertained, take a look at NatWest MoneySense Programme and MoneySense Monday’s for interactive fun whilst they’re at home.

NatWest MoneySense is a free, fun programme for children aged between 5 and 18 available online, we’ve even included a fun cricket puzzle for 8-12 year olds which you can view and download at https://natwest.mymoneysense.com/parents/8-12s/cricket-crazy/?utm_campaign=1751418_28052020_CCB_ChairLeadOfficer_C19_Bulletin&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=Email_CountyBoardBulletin&dm_t=0,0,0,0,0 plus take a look at the new Island Saver game which you can also download at https://natwest.mymoneysense.com/island-saver/.

Currently, every Monday morning, we’re live on NatWest Facebook and YouTube channels for an engaging and interactive lesson. NatWest MoneySense Monday’s live focuses on a different topic each week to help introduce finance at home. Take a look at a recent lesson where we had special guest Michael Vaughan and his daughter Jemima taking part in a fundraising task.

A couple of cricket quotes to finish with this week:

“In the back of Hughes' mind must be the thought that he will dance down the piss and mitch one.” BRIAN JOHNSTON

“Like an elephant trying to do the pole vault” JONATHAN AGNEW as heavyweight Pakistan captain INZAMAN-UL-HAQ falls over his own stumps

Looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday evening

#StaySafe#StayWell

Lisa and Chris