Coronavirus: ECB recommends all recreation cricket is suspended indefinitely

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has recommended all forms of recreational cricket be suspended indefinitely because of coronavirus.

The decision follows UK government advice to cut unnecessary social contact to help fight the pandemic.

The ECB said it will "work with the game to understand what support is required across the cricket community, particularly local clubs and leagues".

Plans for the future of professional cricket will be discussed on Thursday.

"Following the Government's latest advice around social distancing, it is with sadness and reluctance that we recommend that all forms of recreational cricket are for now suspended," the ECB said.

"This extends to training, pre-season friendlies and any associated cricket activity.

"Sport plays an absolutely vital role in the nation's mental and physical wellbeing, and it helps people find meaning where there is fear and uncertainty, so one of our goals in the coming weeks will be to explore ways that we can support some levels of physical activity in communities - particularly at junior levels.

"Using our cricket community to support others could be one of the most important services we can offer during the difficult next few months.

"It will be critical that any decisions we do make are medically-led. And we will continue to work with government and its advisers to ensure we are informed by science in our decision making.

"Over the coming weeks, we will work with the game to understand what support is required across the cricket community, particularly local clubs and leagues - who will have such a huge role to play in our nation's response to coming out of this situation."

On Monday, Cricket Scotland advised all schools and clubs should stop cricket activity in Scotland until further notice.

Grassroots football and rugby has also been cancelled while weekly Parkrun events have also been called off.