'Utter nonsense': Michael Vaughan slams Boris Johnson's decision to uphold ban on recreational cricket
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan has slammed United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson's decision to uphold the ban on recreational cricket.
Michael Vaughan's criticism came at the heels of the Prime Minister's comments on the cricket ball, calling it "a natural vector of disease".
Responding to Conservative MP Greg Clark, who pointed out that half of summer cricket had been lost and asked if the game could be resumed, Johnson had remarked:
“The problem with cricket, as everyone understands, is that the ball is a natural vector of disease - potentially, at any rate.”
Responding to this statement on Tuesday, Michael Vaughan tweeted:
"Hand sanitiser in every players pocket ... Use every time you touch the ball ... SIMPLE ... Recreational Cricket should just play from July 4th ... utter nonsense it’s not being allowed back..."
Michael Vaughan also slammed the UK government and Boris Johnson's comments in his column on The Telegraph.
Pubs opened but ban on recreational leagues remains
Tories leader Boris Johnson had announced several measures to ease the lockdown in England but maintained that the restriction on recreational leagues will continue.
Speaking about the easing of virus restrictions on pubs and restaurants in Parliament, Johnson said:
"We're still working on ways to make cricket more COVID-secure, but we can't change the guidance yet."
The England and Wales Cricket Board also issued a statement to alleviate any fears surrounding the cricket ball and sounded particularly optimistic about the return of club-level cricket:
“The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) along with the nation’s cricket players are keen to see the imminent and safe return of our sport at recreational level and have been working hard with Government to achieve this."
No effect on England-West Indies series
The ban on recreational leagues will have no impact on the upcoming England vs West Indies tour, which is slated to begin on July 8 at the Hampshire Ageas Bowl.
The series will be played in bio-secure venues and will mark the return of international cricket, which has not been played since March 13.