LAST-DITCH talks are taking place to try to prevent the Hampshire Cricket League from being abandoned for the summer.

There are fears the league will have to scrap the entire summer programme for the first time in its 48-year history because of the on-going Covid-19 pandemic.

The league’s 299 teams were due to have begun their 17 rounds of matches four weeks ago on May 9. But long before then the ECB had suspended all domestic cricket countrywide.

At the moment, that suspension extends to August 1, which would leave only five Saturdays of the season remaining and make it impossible for the Hampshire League’s teams to play anything other than friendly matches – if they even get the chance to do that.

But other sports are gradually being allowed to restart – and that has prompted high-level meetings to take place this week between the ECB, clubs and the government.

Clubs are hoping agreement will be reached to allow recreational cricket to resume in early July.

And that might just give the Hampshire League an opportunity to reschedule their programme to allow some competitive cricket to take place.

League chairman Denis Emery feels the second half of the season could be scheduled over an eight-week period in July and August, with promotion and relegation between the 17 divisions being administered.

But if the ban remains until August 1, Emery feels that as not even half the season could be completed, they would have to “reluctantly” abandon the league.

He said: “As soon as we get a re-start date, the HCL Committee will inform clubs. We will also soon send out a Covid-19 questionnaire for clubs’ feedback on their preparations ready for a start.”