CRICKET league officials in Shropshire hope Welsh clubs will not be left behind after confirmation of the return of the sport in England.

The Shropshire Cricket League will commence on July 25 with a reduced programme of fixtures having lost much of the summer to lockdown restrictions imposed by the UK Government due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However Welsh clubs remain on the sidelines with the Welsh Government maintaining its ban on mass gatherings and team sports.

A spokesman for the Shropshire League hoped Montgomeryshire clubs would receive the green light to play before July 25.

He said: “We are waiting on Welsh Government to see what they say about cricket.

“I suppose the worst case is that Welsh teams could play their fixtures away as there is nothing to stop them driving to Shrewsbury to play a game of cricket and then heading home.”