The clocks have leapt forward and the door has been slammed shut on the winter months but this spring is decidedly different for cricketers and cricket followers.

Along with all other sporting activities the world over, the domestic cricket season has been put on hold due to a global pandemic that has wreaked unparalleled havoc on all of our lives.

This is usually a time when supporters, armed with flasks of hot coffee, warming blankets and their freshly printed editions of the new Playfair Annual and Wisden Almanack, would be planning their first outdoor trip of the new season.

Instead, whilst the County Championship season should have begun over the Easter weekend, things are understandably quiet at the homes of the 18 first-class counties.

This year, for the first time in more than a decade, Nottinghamshire’s preparations for the new season took place in the UK.

“The square is up to speed now and will be ready to go whenever cricket restarts.”

Steve Birks

Although a small handful of players were able to get away to warmer climes and experience some form of cricket, the bulk of the playing staff honed their fitness and skills inside a giant marquee at Lady Bay.

Those same players have now all been sent home, no doubt following whatever personal fitness regimes they can in the hope of remaining as close to match-fit as possible.

It’s a waiting game for everyone, including groundstaff. They have to make sure they are ready for whenever restrictions are lifted.

At Trent Bridge, head groundsman Steve Birks is preparing for his 23rd season in charge. He and his crew were already having to cope with one of the wettest close seasons of recent times.

“It rained virtually every day through October and November, so it was difficult to put seed down without it getting washed away,” Birks said.

“Then we had the floods in January and February, so we were down on our grass covering at that time.”

Notts should have opened their campaign this coming weekend at home to Leicestershire, the first of six championship matches that have had to be postponed.

“We’d all rather be playing cricket on 12 April but it is fair to say that the delay in starting the season will give the surface some extra time to recover from the winter rain,” Birks said.

“The square is up to speed now and will be ready to go whenever cricket restarts.”

The schedule at Trent Bridge this summer includes domestic red and white ball matches, four fixtures in The Hundred competition, an England versus Pakistan Test match, a one-day international against Ireland and the final of the Royal London Cup.

With so much action in the calendar, Birks and his team are maintaining social distancing whilst putting in the hours to keep the ground in tip-top condition.

“We have a skeleton staff of three to carry out work that’s essential,” said Birks.

“With the heavy lifting that’s needed, it’s not suitable for lone-working but we’re very conscious of staying apart from each other and working safely.”

Safety, rather than cricket, is a priority for us all right now.