The UK’s first secretary of state, Dominic Raab, has said that it is “very difficult” to see amateur outdoor sport being played in the UK this summer.

Talking on the Andrew Marr Show, Raab, when asked whether there was a chance of people being allowed to play sport outside this summer, said that it was “very difficult because of the level and scale of interaction,” casting further doubt over whether any recreational cricket will be played at all in England and Wales in 2020.

In the ECB’s announcement on Friday that stated that there would be no professional cricket in England and Wales until at least July 1, they also said that “the suspension of recreational cricket remains until further notice,” giving no indication as to when the suspension may be lifted.

Raab was less downbeat on the prospects of professional sport though, pointing to the increased scale of testing that could make professional sport possible. Raab added: “I think the professional sport may be different because of the scale of testing that they would be able to introduce.

“We do want to look, when it’s safe and when it’s possible, at ways to allow more outdoors activities to take place but again we’ve got to have the evidence that that’s a surefooted step and doesn’t allow coronavirus get a grip back on the country.”

Brought to you in association with NatWest, Wisden’s Club Cricket Partner, supporting cricket at all levels for almost 40 years and a proud partner of the ECB and Chance to Shine. NatWest CricketForce helps local cricket clubs to make more from their money through free online advice and toolkits

Follow @NatWest_Cricket and #NoBoundaries on Twitter to find out more

Read more club cricket stories