ALTHOUGH England and Wales Cricket Board has further suspended domestic cricket until August 1 - with the postponement of recreational cricket continuing until further notice - the authorities remain hopeful of the sport making a comeback this season.

With Llechryd and Crymych of the Pembroke County League and Llandysul of the South Wales Association forced to kick their heels, players, officials and supporters are questioning whether there can be any meaningful competition starting during the final month of the campaign.

Promoted Llechryd were due to get the season underway at Saundersfoot on Sunday, April 26 with the last of 18 fixtures at Haverfordwest on August 29. Lifting the suspension on August 1 would give the Teifi Valley villagers four games to play.

Crymych of Division Four were set to return to their former home at Ysgol Y Preseli with an away game against Carew 2nds in April and the final fixture at home against Whitland 2nds on August 22.

In the same division Llechryd 2nds were scheduled to start against their Saundersfoot counterparts at the RDM Oval and take on Kilgetty 2nds at home on the final day.

Llandysul were down to host Maesteg at Tyr Dref on May 2 with the final fixture away against Dafen at the end of August.

The club’s second string would have competed in Division Five.

A number of enthusiasts in the area said they were eager to see some form of cricket, whether competitive or friendly.

Extending the proposed start to the professional domestic season, the ECB confirmed that the recreational game would remain suspended – with the sole exception of the use of outdoor facilities (nets and pitches) for the purpose of exercise.

An ECB spokesman said that guidelines and learnings can be deployed for cricket so that the recreational game can continue its phased return as soon as the authority has Government approval.

“We remain hopeful of seeing both domestic and recreational cricket this season,” said the spokesman.