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Gloucestershire’s 150th season might not see a single ball bowled
Gloucestershire was meant to have padded up for their 150th season this Easter weekend, but first-class cricket will not be returning to Bristol until the end of May at the earliest.
“We know it is a deep disappointment to all staff, players and everyone involved with the club that the season has been delayed,” Glos chairman and chief executive, John Hollingdale and Will Brown, wrote in an open letter to fans.
The delay means that star signing Cheteshwar Pujara will not be able to play in the 2020 season, with Hollingdale and Brown revealing that the club has also “significantly reduced the number of staff and players actively working”.
They said: “Through a combination of local and national government initiatives (we) have realised sizeable savings for the months of April and May.”
BS7 Gym and Bristol Pavilion within the County Ground in Ashley Down will remain closed, the club’s ticket office will not be in operation until further notice, and hospitality sales and enquiries will not be taken.
As a result of all of these measures, Gloucestershire’s financial projections show that, even if no cricket at all can be played this season, the club “should be able to break even this year and be ready to face the future in a strong financial position when this crisis has passed”.
Hollingdale and Brown added: “We know these are uncertain and worrying times for all of us but we wanted to reassure you that every effort is being made to plan responsibly for both our present and our future.
“Gloucestershire Cricket has weathered many a real and metaphorical storm and will be here for many seasons to come.”
Main photo by Martin Booth
Read more: Gloucestershire promoted to County Championship Division One
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