Sporting fixtures take steps to avoid clash with Prince Philip funeral

County Championship matches will pause for over an hour while the Scottish Grand National will be run on Sunday.

County Championship matches will pause for an hour and 20 minutes next Saturday to coincide with the funeral of Prince Philip, the English and Wales Cricket Board has said.

Nine matches in the LV= County Championship will be on hold, after it was announced on Saturday that English Football League matches scheduled for 3pm on April 17 would be moved to avoid a clash.

The ECB has also asked all recreational cricket clubs across England and Wales to pause play between 3pm and 4pm next Saturday to pay their respects, alongside observing the one minute silence at 3pm, a spokesperson said.

Durham players stand for a minute's silence as the flag is flown at half mast at Trent Bridge — Durham players stand for a minute’s silence as the flag is flown at half mast at Trent Bridge (Zac Goodwin/PA)

The Scottish Grand National at Ayr and Greenham races were also moved to Sunday, with no racing due to take place in Britain between 2.45pm and 4.15pm on Saturday.

Saturday’s meetings at Bangor, Thirsk, Brighton and Nottingham will go ahead but with different start times to ensure races do not clash with the ceremony. Start times will be announced on Monday.

The London Stadium's screen displays a tribute to Prince Philip as West Ham and Leicester observe a two-minute silence — The London Stadium’s screen displays a tribute to Prince Philip as West Ham and Leicester observe a two-minute silence (Justin Setterfield/PA)

Wolves are due to host Sheffield United in the Premier League at 3pm, following the lunchtime fixture between Newcastle and West Ham.

The Chelsea v Manchester City FA Cup semi-final is due to kick off at 5.30pm at Wembley.

Rangers and Hibernian players observe a two minute silence at Ibrox (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Premiership Rugby fixtures will be rearranged to avoid a clash, a decision which will affect the 2pm kick-off between Newcastle and Bristol and 3pm fixture involving Harlequins and Worcester.