The ECB has released the following announcement for the 2020 cricket season:
The First-Class Counties have agreed to play both red-ball and white-ball cricket during this summer’s shortened men’s domestic season.
A majority vote was reached at a meeting of the FCC chairs today following approval by the ECB Board last month for the new season to commence on August 1.
Today’s agreement by the FCCs will be passed on for ECB Board approval in the coming days after which the details of the new fixture schedule will be drawn up and then announced.
The safety and wellbeing of all players, staff and officials remains the priority of the ECB and all FCCs will undergo further medical risk assessments and venue compliance approval as planning progresses to ensure safe environments for the start of the men’s domestic season.
Ticket holders for men's domestic matches and FCC members are set to be contacted by venues with the options available to them after a new fixture schedule is announced.
Chief Executive, Hugh Morris, said, “This is fantastic news, and we are absolutely delighted that an agreement has been reached which allows for the return of the County Championship and Vitality Blast this summer.
“We are working alongside the ECB to understand exactly what is required to ensure that once the season starts, the health and safety of all our players, and coaching staff can remain our top priority.
“As the squad returned to training just last Wednesday, they are already adapting well to changes at the stadium. I am sure this latest news will fuel them further to make the most of their training over the course of the coming weeks.
“We have recently received a fantastic level of support from our annual members by means of 2020 membership fee donations, and we are thrilled to be able to share the news that a combination of red-ball and white-ball formats will be played in 2020.”