THE Halifax Cricket League is finally getting underway on Saturday, but not as we know it.

Several coronavirus-enforced measures will be in place for the new first XI (half) season, which will take place between July 18 and September 26, with all fixtures beginning at 1:30pm, except for 12:30pm starts in the final two weeks.

A couple of first teams, Old Town and Sowerby St Peter's, will not be taking part at all, while Kirklees MC, Mount and Upper Hopton are not allowed to play at home (this applies to all their second teams too), though the latter two are appealing.

Matches will be reduced to 40 over per side (though there is no change to the allocation of match points), the cricket ball must be washed every six overs and fielders must sanitise their hands frequently.

Players will also not be allowed to use changing rooms (except toilets), there will be no teas or tea intervals and cricket balls cannot be touched by non-fielders.

Social distancing will obviously be in place as much as possible too.

Those above rules will also remain in place for second XI and Sunday League cricket.

The former starts up on July 25, but with Booth, Leymoor, Mytholmroyd, Old Town, Oxenhope and Sowerby St Peter’s all dropping out, fixtures will have to be reworked before the season's end on September 26.

Clubs have until tomorrow to confirm whether they wish to still participate in the season or not.

As for Sunday League cricket, which is beginning on July 26, Honley and Northowram Fields have already confirmed they are not competing.

Players can play for both Sunday League and second XI teams freely, but no first XI player is allowed to play Sunday League unless he is a junior that fits the league's existing criteria.

A decision on transfers of players between clubs is still pending, while first XI and second XI level must provide a stand in umpire for matches.

Further updates will be issued shortly for the outstanding issues above.