Trent Bridge - The Stolen Summer

Before I start this isn't a ramble about Covid in 2020, where no cricket was played before August and then when it was played, it was all behind closed doors without spectators. A season that extended itself into the colder, wetter Autumn months, where the weather ultimately won through even though cricket's show did go on. No this is about County Cricket in August 2021.

In recent years county cricket has been packed into the months of April, May, June and July before it eases off to make room for the conclusive rounds of the Blast and a relentless flow of International fixtures, only to make a comeback in September when the summer holidays are over, people are back at work and children have started their new schools years, but there's usually a round or two of County Championship games thrown into the August mix.

At Trent Bridge we used to point out that we might only get 7 days worth of Nottinghamshire cricket in whole month at Trent Bridge owing to there being a Test Match, but no such luxury in 2021. There is every possibility that there will be zero Nottinghamshire cricket played at Trent Bridge in 2021, for fixtures that are included in the Club membership or T20 season ticket.

Apparently over 5 thousand members (admittedly not all full paying adult members) donated their fees to aid the club (Nottinghamshire CCC) through the hardship of the 2020 pandemic lockdown; is this the reward that members receive in 2021 for their patience through-out 2020 and in 2021 with the initial locked-out fixtures, then the restrictions, protocols and seat bookings of subsequent games until now?

The EwCB have appropriated Trent Bridge for most of the month of August. There will be the second two fixtures of the EwCB's project "to save cricket from itself" with the Hundred (the first couple of games are very soon, after Notts Outlaws have concluded their group fixtures in the Blast with the crushing win over Durham) and a Test Match, followed by a Blast Quarter Final and a One Day Cup Final.

The Blast Quarter Final will be involving Notts Outlaws in the latter half of August (but members will have to pay extra, assuming we're are allowed in - Wednesday 25th against Hampshire Hawks) as it isn't included in the membership as aren't Trent Rockets games AS THEY ARE NOT NOTTINGHAMSHIRE CCC but members might be (increasingly) invited to attend these "events" but they're not really wanted.

There is also a One Day Cup Final at Trent Bridge, two days after its semi-finals are played , the final being played on a Thursday in August - again not included in any membership, maybe it ought to be to get any kind of crowd there.

So what Trent Bridge Nottinghamshire CCC cricket can we possibly look forward to during August 2021, to mark our diaries?

Saturday 14th Quarter Finals of the ODC - no guarantee of qualification or a home tie

Tuesday 17th Semi Finals of the ODC - again no guarantee of qualification or a home tie

Thursday 19th Final of the ODC - it's at Trent Bridge but no guarantee of Notts' involvement

Wednesday 25th Notts Outlaws will be playing a T20 Blast Quarter Final against Hampshire Hawks at Trent Bridge

Bank Holiday 30th August The first of Nottinghamshire's First Division County Championship games start, if it's at Trent Bridge and who it might be against, is yet to be announced.

Therefore at this moment only one Nottinghamshire fixture, the T20 Blast Q/F game, is definitely happening, for which extra payment will be required, at Trent Bridge during next month when the schools are on holiday. Shocking, and no reward for loyalty, I would say, and no way to grow the sport.

Away from Trent Bridge what can members look forward to?

Post-19th July are second eleven fixtures fair game; are there even any second eleven fixtures? Most counties have haemorrhaged players to the ECB sponsored event, namely the Hundred, as drafted players or "injury" replacements for drafted players. Even the Outlaws' new bright legspinning prospect, the fabulous Calvin Harrison, has been snaffled-up by the Manchester franchise after just six weeks of regular senior cricket - an astonishing rise from former student to (what the EwCB would have us believe is) elite world class standard. Those players at counties not drafted away will be playing in the One Day Cup, now a "development competition"- still sponsored by Royal London. These fixtures are included in the Nottinghamshire membership but you will have to travel to catch a home fixture. Nottinghamshire will be playing "home games" at Welbeck CCC, Grantham CCC and at the County Ground Derby. Not really what you bought your membership expecting...

At this moment, the Royal London One Day Cup is going ahead. Today Notts were due to travel to Norfolk but the National County called that game off weeks ago owing to the expense and logistics of dealing with Covid and "Elite" players. So we hold our breath and see if a Nottinghamshire side travel and play at Edgbaston on Sunday. HBD

DATE	DAY	OPPONENTS	VENUE
25 July	Sun	Warwickshire Bears	Edgbaston
27 July	Tue	Surrey	Guildford
30 July	Fri	SOMERSET	Welbeck
01 Aug	Sun	LEICESTERSHIRE FOXES	Welbeck
04 Aug	Wed	DERBYSHIRE FALCONS	Derby
06 Aug	Fri	Yorkshire	Clifton, York
08 Aug	Sun	Glamorgan	Cardiff
10 Aug	Tue	NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STEELBACKS	Grantham