The new cricket season should have been springing into life over the next week or so but, for now, the campaign is on hold because of the coronavrius pandemic.

One of the island’s leading cricketers is in a fortunate position, however, having already played a season abroad this year.

Finch Hill and Isle of Man batsman George Burrows returned to our shores in March after playing for five months in Western Australia.

The 20-year-old from Douglas was based in the remote mining town of Kalgoorlie Boulder, 370 miles east-northeast of Perth.

Despite having to contend with temperatures in their 40s plus rock-hard and bouncy pictures, the Finches’ opener enjoyed some good form with the bat for new club Lake View.

’My highlight would have to be scoring the side’s first century since January 2011 against [Eastern Goldfields Cricket Association leagues] leaders Hannans. My second-wicket partnership of 173 with skipper Ashley Malec was the highest in the league since 2015.

’I also scored 71 against Great Boulder. I had to grind that one out when the ball was swinging and we were losing wickets often.’ Burrows explained.

’The second half of the season went okay. I was happy with a few of the performances, especially as our side made the T20 grand final.

’This was played under floodlights on a Friday evening. More than 1,000 people attended. I’ve never played in front of that many people. We lost, but it was nice to score some runs, 30 out of the side’s total of 89, on such an important occasion.’

’I also got to experience my first country week competition in Perth. All the country associations in WA put two teams in and you play against them all over the course of the week.’

The former Ballakermeen student returned to the Isle of Man just before the island’s borders shut last month.

’I arrived back two weeks earlier than I planned. I was fortunate enough to change flights and be able to get home before Covid-19 restrictions made it impossible.

’The trip back took 38 hours, but it went as smoothly as I could have hoped.’

On returning, Burrows had to self-isolate for two weeks, but has been trying to work hard to maintain his fitness while in lockdown.

George has been asked to return to Lake View again in the autumn, but this will depend on how quickly travel and social-distancing restrictions are lifted in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

He is keen to return though if he can: ’I’ve made some great friends there and the standard was good - we’ll just have to see what happens next.’

The island’s senior team should have been in action this summer in June.

Burrows would likely have been among the Manx squad travelling to Belgium to take on the hosts along with Denmark, Austria, Romania, Czech Republic, Portugal and Serbia in the preliminary stages of the T20 World Cup qualifiers.

This has now been postponed, with the ICC working on an alternative date, possibly later in the year.

The Manx domestic season is also on hold, but after consulting with clubs, cricket development officer Greig Wright and the cricket association have put plans in place to ensure leagues and competitions can start almost immediately when restrictions are lifted.

Andy Dalrymple