ECB: there will be domestic cricket for women this summer

The England and Wales Cricket Board have promised professional women's cricket will be played this summer, although no decision has yet been made on the date or format. 

A new domestic competition based on eight regional teams was due to start earlier in the year but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. After announcing the return of county cricket for men on 1 August, ECB chief executive Tom Harrison also committed to seeing the women's game resume and preferably involving the new regional hubs.

"Our strong preference is that the women's new elite domestic structure starts this summer and we will work hard to ensure that happens," Harrison said.

"For this to be achieved, brand new infrastructure still needs to be rolled out, alongside imperatives we need in place when playing competitive cricket during a pandemic.

"In the event that proves impossible, we will explore other options for play to enable our women's players to enjoy competitive domestic cricket in 2020."

There are currently 24 contracted England players back in training for a potential tri-series against India and South Africa in September. A further 25 women have received retainers from the new regions despite the lack of action so far this summer and players have also received 10% of the fee for this season's aborted debut of the new Hundred tournament.