A cricket club has expressed thanks and support for the NHS staff and key workers on the frontline of the fight against Covid-19.

The season should have been well under way for youngsters of Whitehaven Cricket Club but the coronavirus outbreak has suspended play.

It is an unwelcome pause in progression for the club who were set to run four senior teams for the first time in its history.

Cricket secretary Arthur Lamb said: “We were looking forward to a good season.”

The move is a response to an influx in new members.

Whitehaven Cricket Club’s junior section is also thriving, the club was set to field teams of all age groups, two at Under-11s up to Under-19s.

Record numbers were attending winter training sessions before the government’s nationwide lockdown came into effect.

Mr Lamb said: “It has hit us at possibly the worst point.”

Although the team is looking ahead to when play resumes, they are mindful of the bigger issues during the coronavirus outbreak.

Whitehaven Cricket Club’s junior members have each sent a picture with a message of support to NHS workers, creating a ‘thank you’ montage.

The club has also shown its support for doctors and nurses by flying a flag from the pavilion at Richmond Terrace saying ‘Thank you NHS'.

Mr Lamb said: “You can see it from both doctors' surgeries.”

A spokesman for Whitehaven Cricket Club said: “Hopefully there will be some opportunity to play this season but the priority is of course to stay safe and follow the government guidelines.”

The club is currently looking at how cricket can be played this summer should government restrictions on social distancing be relaxed.

Mr Lamb said: “This will be the longest time without cricket being played here since the Second World War.”