365 Sporting Days

County Cricket fans have been waiting with baited breath for the release of the 2020 season fixtures, me amongst them. A draft has been issued laying out the season format, with the main focus bound to be the lack of 4 day cricket in the traditional summer months of June, July and August. The game is going to be relying on the weather being kind in the extremities of the season, April and May. (Each County will play only 14 games across this calendar)

Most of us knew the white ball formats were going to be taking priority, but one of the most notable points for the County Championship is the fact that 12 of the 16 rounds have at least one days play at the weekend.

• April – Round 1 – M 13th – Th 16th (Easter Monday)
• April – Round 2 – Su 19th – W 22nd
• April – Round 3 – Sa 25th – Tu 28th
• May – Round 4 – Fr 1st – M 4th
• May – Round 5 – Fr 8th – M 11th (Friday May Day)
• May – Round 6 – Fr 15th – M 18th (Monday BH)
• May – Round 7 – Fr 22nd – M 25th
• May 28th – June 12th T20 Blast
• June – Round 8 – Su 14th – W 17th
• June 19th – June 26th T20 Blast
• June – Round 9 Su 28th – Wed 1st
• July – Round 10 Su 5th – W 8th
• July 10th & July 12th – T20 Blast
• July 17th – August 16th – The Hundred
• July 18th – August 16th – 50 Over Domestic
• August 18th – 21st – T20 Blast Qtr Finals
• August – Round 11 – Su 23rd – W 26th
• August – Round 12 – Sa 29th – T 1st
• September 5th (6th) – T20 Blast Finals Day
• September – Round 13 – Tu 8th – Fr 11th
• August 13th – 50 Over Play Offs
• August 16th – 50 Over Semi-Finals
• September – Round 14 – Tu 14th – Fr 17th
• September 19th (20th) – 50 Over Final
• September – Round 15 – M 21st – Th 24th
• September – Round 16 – Su 27th – W 30th

Hopefully this is going to mean more people can get to some County Cricket in 2020. England also have 2 Three test series to fit in, with them taking on the West Indies between June 4-29 and Pakistan between July 30 – August 24th.

Sitting here on a chilly November evening, I can’t wait for the new season to start; strangely for me the weekend days are at times going to interfere with my winter sport of choice, rugby; but I hope to watch as many day of county cricket as I can in 2020!