CRICKETERS throughout East Lothian are bracing themselves for their season being hit for six.

Musselburgh, Haddington, Dunbar, Bass Rock and Tranent and Preston Village were all anticipating getting the new campaign under way today (Saturday).

However, fixtures throughout May have already been postponed, with Cricket Scotland advising cricket activities are suspended until June 1 at the earliest.

Chris Turnbull, who has been involved with Musselburgh Cricket Club since 1982, said they were already gearing up for the possibility of no cricket at all this season.

Musselburgh were due to take on Drummond Trinity in the first game of the season but that has been postponed.

Turnbull, the club’s vice-president, said: “We have had seasons which have been blighted with rain before. We had one season where some of the teams in our league only got six or seven games in the 18-game season.

“That was about 10 years or so ago but we have had nothing at all like this. In a lot of ways, it is nice that there is nothing you can do about it and it is just the sort of thing you have to accept.

“Sport is fairly low down on the priority list.”

Scott Callow, one of the founding members of Dunbar Cricket Club, was similarly not optimistic that cricket could take place this year.

He said: “I think based on what is happening down in England, they are looking at the end of June.

“As far as we are concerned, Cricket Scotland are keeping their eye on the situation.

“I get the feeling we will not have a season this season.

“If we do, it will be curtailed and we would not be able to do promotion or relegation.

“We would just be playing what fixtures we could on a friendly basis.”

Dunbar, who play at Winterfield, were due to welcome Broomhall on Saturday for the opening contest of the Division Four season.

Relegated last year, batsman Callow said it seemed strange to not be gearing up for the season getting under way.

He said: “We were due to be playing on Saturday past. We had a pre-season friendly against Marchmont and that would have been the first game. We will probably have a cracking summer now!”

Joining Dunbar in Division Four are Tranent and Preston Village.

Haddington were also due to be in action on Saturday, scheduled to face Marchmont 2 away.

Alan Cruickshank, from the East Lothian club, said realistically there was no prospect of cricket getting under way soon.

He said: “It will certainly not be before June but I think ESCA (East of Scotland Cricket Association) will make a decision in line with national guidance.”

The Third Division side share Neilson Park with the town’s rugby club, who also saw their season curtailed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Bass Rock Cricket Club were looking forward to just their second season in Saturday cricket having gained promotion to Division Six last term.

Nick Murden, club captain, highlighted the new training facility at Recreation Park, which they were currently unable to use. The side had been due to travel to Stuart&Stuart Penicuik 2.

The club captain said: “We got promoted last year and last year was our first season at Saturday cricket.

“We were looking forward to the new season but it is one of those things. We will follow all the guidance and see if we can get anything played at the end of the season.

“We are trying to manage expectations across the club.”