Johnson remarked about cricket in response to a question by a Tory MP about when it can start. I suspect he wasn’t aware of or forgotten the Secretary of State's message a week ago outlining plans for earmarking an early July date as being the earliest possible return for recreational cricket. With regard to the ball. Players are already allowed to net practice. They have to gel sanitise their hands before starting and at the end. I see no reason why this can’t be done in match play, with perhaps hand cleaning at agreed intervals in play. If playing cricket outside is deemed unsafe, then how is opening pubs and restaurants safe. They are not safe yet, but the economy is driving decisions now, and there’s not much income from recreational sport.