THE West of England Premier League (WEPL) has proposed 'bubble' divisions of four to eight teams playing localised cricket matches this summer.

Recreational cricket remains suspended due to coronavirus, but the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has said that it has a "strong desire" to work with government and bring the club game back in July.

Now the WEPL - which features teams from Minehead, Staplegrove, Taunton, Taunton Deane, Taunton St Andrews and Wellington Cricket Clubs - has released a statement detailing its plans to commence on July 25.

The statement, addressed to all WEPL clubs, reads: "While recreational cricket remains suspended, and recent despite comments from the prime minister [Boris Johnson described the cricket ball as "a vector of disease"], the ECB has released confirmation that they remain confident that cricket can move towards Stage 4 on the previously released roadmap to cricket, meaning that adapted game play should be possible together with COVID-19 secure guidelines.

"At this stage, there is no indication as to when the next update will come from either the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, or the ECB.

"In the meantime, we believe it prudent to continue to plan in a positive way.

"Unfortunately, given the current restrictions, we will be unable to play our initial half-year plan, but it is clear from surveys that our players would like some sort of competitive cricket if we are able to organise it.

"We are therefore going to offer the following option for our clubs:

"We are putting together 'bubble' divisions of either four, six or eight teams, based around localised matches and playing as full a game as possible under the restrictions imposed.

"Provided the guidance allows, we would aim to commence on Saturday, July 25, and run for six/seven weeks depending on the size of the 'bubbles'.

"Further details will follow when we have updated information, but we wanted to inform you of our intentions in order that you can get your grounds ready for play.

"We would point out that there are unlikely to be any independently appointed umpires, and that clubs will be required to provide one themselves."

Clubs are asked to get in touch with the league if they would be able to host on July 25, or they do not wish to participate in the localised divisions.