The KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union have delayed the start of the 2020-21 club season to early March.
The KZNCU club season traditionally starts in late September or early October. Like elsewhere around South Africa, it has been deferred as a preventative measure against the spread of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, in Cape Town and surrounds, the Western Province Cricket Association have already cancelled the 2020-21 club season entirely.
“KZN Cricket have adjusted their initial timeframe for the resumption of the game at this level, thus exercising the duty of care for all involved,” read this week’s statement from the KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union.
“This is following the recent announcement by the honourable president, Cyril Ramaphosa, that the country will be remaining on ‘adjusted level three lockdown’ to deal with the second wave outbreak of the pandemic.
“It was previously envisaged that the 2020-21 amateur cricket season would commence on 1 February 2021. However, the recent lockdown regulations imposed for the second wave outbreak has forced us to revisit the situation due to:
“Four out of five municipalities in the coastal region have been declared hotspots of the pandemic in KwaZulu-Natal.
“Municipal cricket fields in the affected districts are closed until the 15 February 2021 and this is pending any further announcements by the president.
“Lack of preparation at the majority of fields due to the lack of staff. Restrictions to the movement of people.
“The commencement date has now been earmarked for 1 March 2021, which cannot be cast in stone as the pandemic curve might flatten or rise, with further restrictions being envisaged if people’s behaviour does not change to prohibit the upward trend.”