The Craven and District Cricket League has been suspended for a minimum of two weeks after the Government imposed new lockdown restrictions in West Yorkshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

The suspension, starting from 1 August, will see Long Lee miss matches at home to Hepworth and Idle and away to league leaders Crossflatts. They currently lie second after last week's impressive win against Bradford and Bingley.

Only the Craven and District Cricket League is affected, with some other leagues in lockdown areas, including Bradford and Halifax, playing on. The English Cricket Board has not changed its view that cricket can still be played as long as players adhere to social distancing rules and ensure members are safe.

A league statement said: "The Craven and District Cricket League has a duty of care to all its member clubs and players, it's the league's general directive to provide organised cricket in a safe, practical and enjoyable environment.

"With an ever-increasing risk of Covid infection coming from both ends of the league's extended reach, this is becoming increasingly difficult to the point of being impossible to implement.

"A proposition put to the Executive this morning was returned with a majority of 10-1 in favour of suspending the league with immediate effect for two weeks followed by a review going forward before play recommences."

The suspension will be reviewed in two weeks, as "a person unaware and not displaying symptoms can still infect those around him".

More to follow.