The key questions on the impact of coronavirus on cricket

England hope to squeeze in a near full international campaign despite the lengthy setbacks faced by the sport.

England players are set to return to formal training on an individual basis from next week following the publication of revised government guidelines.

Here, the PA news agency looks at what that means, how it works and what other impact coronavirus has had on the sport.

Will we see live cricket on these shores again soon?

July 8
Prospective date for England's first Test of the summer against the West Indies.

How will training work and who is involved?

A bumper group of 55 – the core squad members augmented by 14 uncapped players and a host of fringe options – have been chosen to resume training by England. The initial cohort of 18 bowlers will work alongside a maximum support team of one coach, one physio and a strength and conditioning specialist. Sessions will take place at up to 11 first-class venues, with players encouraged to visit only those closest to their homes. Batsmen and wicketkeepers, followed by a selection of white-ball specialists will follow as the ECB prepares for the possibility of format-specific squads this summer. Coaching staff from across the county network have been co-opted to assist.

What safety precautions are in place?

The ECB has set out a series of measures which it believes makes the environment as safe as possible. Players and support staff must attend training in full kit, observe social distancing and take temperature checks on arrival. Any medical treatment will be delivered with the use of full personal protective equipment and will be outdoors where weather-conditions permit. Director of cricket Ashley Giles says the process should make it safer than a trip to the supermarket.

Why has The Hundred been postponed?

The decision was made for three primary reasons: the likely unavailability of overseas talent, the probability of empty stadiums should any cricket be possible this summer and the logistical challenges caused by the amount of operations staff currently on furlough at host venues. For a competition explicitly designed to grow the profile of the sport and draw new fans – inside grounds and on television – the problems represented a perfect storm.

Will cricket be played behind closed doors?

It would be very strange to play without the fans but if these things have to happen so be itEngland captain Joe Root

How different could cricket look?

What about the World Test Championship?

World Test Championship table
  1. India - 360pts
  2. Australia - 296
  3. New Zealand - 180
  4. England - 146
  5. Pakistan - 140

And what of the Twenty20 World Cup in October?

What impact does all this have financially?

£380m
Worst-case losses faced by the ECB, according to the body's own estimate.