THE ENCO Halifax League have issued an update, as cricket at all levels begins to resume in some capacity.

Training is now allowed, with strict regulations, while the hosting of matches is being looked into.

There is hope for many domestic leagues that they could see cricket by August, but changes to normal play would almost certainly have to be considered.

The update, guided by the ECB, reads:

Small Training Groups: Issued June 5 - Small group training is now allowed by using outdoor facilities only, eg nets, outfield & wicket.

This is restricted to individuals or groups of six, regardless of household, but strictly socially distanced, with 1:5 coaching allowed.

Additionally, hygiene measures must also be observed. No matches whatsoever are allowed in any format.

Return to an adapted matchplay format: Issued June 11 - No date has yet been set for this stage and then it will only be instigated using socially adapted rules for both senior and junior cricket.

It may be that matches could be played in shorter formats to allow more to take place.

Any use of indoor hospitality and changing facilities will be required to be in line with the up to date issued guidelines.

The timing for any move to this stage is totally at the behest of the UK government.

The league has, from April, had in place alternative formats for any return to cricket. It is hoped that some cricket may be possible under the conditions mentioned above, for which the league is well prepared (end of update).

But there has been plenty of cricket going on already in the Halifax League, with the ENCO Fantasy League seeing its ninth round of virtual fixtures taking place at the weekend.

Leaders Illingworth St Mary's slipped up and lost by eight wickets to SBCI, who were inspired by Alex Schofield. He took 5-35 before hitting 61 not out in his side's big victory.

Booth beat rock-bottom Shelf Northowram by seven wickets to move just one point behind Illingworth, while fellow title challengers Thornton and Triangle had to settle for eight and seven points respectively, after a high-scoring game was sadly abandoned late on due to rain.

Sowerby Bridge's exciting clash with Mytholmroyd suffered the same fate, but there were a couple of results elsewhere, as Blackley beat Warley and Bradshaw edged out Copley.

The Halifax League have set up a free to enter competition off the back of this fantasy league. All you have to do is correctly guess how the table will finish, from first to 12th, and you could be in line to win two tickets to the league's annual dinner, worth £70.

The last set of fixtures will be on September 12 and you have until July 31 to enter the competition.

Two entries per person are allowed and the winner will be announced on the Halifax League website on the week commencing September 14.

Entries must be sent to independent adjudicator Barry Small by email, on barry.small@gmx.com (headed Enco HCL Competition), or by posting them to Barry Small, Enco HCL Comp, Delph Field House, Kebroyd, Triangle, Sowerby Bridge, HX6 3HT.

They must include the name of the entrant, a contact telephone number and/or an email address.

You must obviously provide a list of clubs in numerical order from one to 12.

For reference, the current fantasy league table after week nine is:

1. Illingworth St Mary's (88 points)

2. Booth (87 pts)

3. Thornton (83 pts)

4. Triangle (81 pts)

5. Warley (76 pts)

6. SBCI (73 pts)

7. Sowerby Bridge (59 pts)

8. Blackley (58 pts)

9. Mytholmroyd (55 pts)

10. Copley (52 pts)

11. Bradshaw (47 pts)

12. Shelf Northowram HT (40 pts)