Sussex have moved their opening County Championship fixture to opponents Lancashire after a bug infestation.
Hove has been affected by leatherjacket grubs, the larvae of insects commonly known as daddy longlegs.
The move followed an inspection by the England and Wales Cricket Board's pitch and grounds advisor.
The sides' two fixtures have been switched, with Lancashire hosting from 8-11 April and Sussex at home for the return game from 29 April until 2 May.
Both matches, as per current coronavirus guidelines, will take place behind closed doors.
Sussex's first home fixture of the season will now be the County Championship match against Yorkshire from 22-25 April.
Derbyshire give members priority
Derbyshire’s LV= County Championship fixture against Durham, starting on Thursday 20 May, will be exclusive to Derbyshire Members, as we look forward to welcoming spectators back to live cricket.
As indicated by the government’s roadmap for the safe return of supporters to sporting events, Members should be able to return to The Incora™ County Ground from Monday 17 May, with the first-class match against Durham the first to take place after the easing of restrictions.
This fixture will remain exclusive to Members due to a restricted capacity under the government’s roadmap guidelines compared to our Membership numbers. As a Club, Derbyshire aims to make cricket accessible to all and while our capacity is limited, our live stream service will be free to all supporters via our website.
With capacity restrictions still expected to be in place until at least Monday 21 June, Members will receive priority entry to all home fixtures in the 2021 season, including the huge Vitality Blast clashes against Yorkshire Vikings at Queen’s Park and the East Midlands Derby against Notts Outlaws.
The Sussex pitch issue may be similar to the nematode issue that bugged Murrayfield (rugby venue in Edinburgh) in 2013, resulting in a relaying in 2014
ReplyDeleteIt would seem that seagulls don't have a taste for leather jackets.
ReplyDeleteI’ve been to Sleaford C C for pre season a few times. Nice club and ground. One year it was the day the may flies hatched out . Apparently they hatch, fly about for a few hours and then die and that’s pretty much it.different type of grub to the leather jackets I believe. Signed Chris packham .
ReplyDeleteCrane flies aka Daddy long-legs, a common sight in Victorian school buildings in September. Leather jackets are the grub stage of the life cycle.
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