Owzat! Village cricket is back
Members of a village cricket team are bowled over after being allowed to return to the field after lockdown.
Enville Cricket Club will play their first competitive game of the year when they take on Harborne on Saturday.
The club's first team will be away to Netherton for their first game in the Worcestershire County League at the weekend, while the second string will be at home to Kidderminster's fourth team. The third team will take on the Harborne's sixth team in an away game in the Worcestershire County League at the weekend.
But to warm up for a return to competitive action, the club took part in a friendly, fielding two teams made up of regulars from across the three teams at its Hall Drive ground.
While there were strict limits on the number of spectators, a horse in a nearby field had a grandstand view of the action.
Third-team vice-captain Gary Dewinski, who lives in Dudley, said it was good to be able to take to the field again.
"It's a bit different," he said. "It's great to play again, but you have got to be careful, with all the hygiene regulations.
"We can't use the changing rooms, and we have to bring our own teas, but it's a game of cricket.
"It seems strange not to have so many people in the bar, you haven't got the same social activity as before. We are now just being watched by family and friends."
Gary, 57, who first started playing for the club when he was aged about 12, said another thing that took a bit of getting used to was having to stop every six overs for a hand-washing break.
The club, which dates back to 1821, will now be playing through until September.
"It's going to be a very short season, but hopefully there will be a vaccine, so we can get back to normal next year."
