COVID-19: Cricketers prepare for a season of strict measures
From tossing the coin to socially-distanced team huddles, local cricket will be very different this season. Several prominent club captains talk about the challenges ahead.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport . Followed categories will be added to My News.
The battle between bat and ball won’t be the only challenge cricketers face this season.
A raft of COVID-19 measures will keep local players and officials on their toes as suburban competitions get underway.
Most agree, though, that the rules are necessary for the sport to go ahead.
In the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association, new Carrum captain-coach Mark Cooper said players’ safety was the top priority this season.
“It’s obviously around providing a safe environment — and then you kind of play cricket,’’ he said.
Jake Prosser, who will skipper Cardinia in the West Gippsland association, said captains will have plenty to think about with extra responsibilities, including disinfecting the ball.
“It’s all on the captain about shining the ball, making sure people are staying away (from each other),’’ he said.
“They give you a club COVID officer but they can’t help you out on the ground. There are so many extra things this season that a skipper, clubs and committees are going to have to be right on top of.
“It’s going to one of those years where the team that adapts the best early on can really reap the rewards.’’
In Cricket Southern Bayside, former Mentone captain Simon Cormie said players will need to jump through hoops in order to play, and it may drive some away.
“It’s not one of those things any more where you can just rock up, have a hit, have a field, have a bowl and nick off home,’’ he said.
“There are all sorts of hoops you have to jump through. So that might hinder people from coming back and playing because it’s not as easy.
“Or they will wait until post Christmas when hopefully restrictions ease.’’
Cooper said clubs needed to be flexible and mindful that some players may not be available for every game as they look to return to normal life after lockdown.
“Selection will be around really thinking about the individual and not holding it against them if they want to go away with the family,’’ he said.
“It will be like, ‘well done, go and enjoy’.
“I think cricket has to embrace that this year — that it’s a very different year and you run with all those different parameters and you learn to cope with it and adapt like we have as a society.’’
When players do return to training they will have to follow strict measures.
It will only be outdoors and in groups of no more than 10.
Three groups of 10 can train at one time — one group in the nets, one on half of the ground and one on the other half of the ground.
Social distancing of 1.5m must be maintained at all times and there can be no physical contact between players.
All players will have to sign in to an attendance log, as will coaches, officials and volunteers, and equipment will have to be cleaned before and at the end of the session.
Clubs must appoint at least one COVID-19 officer to ensure the protocols are being followed.
When matches do get underway new COVID-19 measures will include:
* the ball must be cleaned with an alcohol-based antibacterial wipe after every 10 overs, at any scheduled break (drinks, lunch, afternoon tea) and if it has been touched by hand by spectators, coaches or parents.
* no saliva or sweat to be used on the ball.
* umpires must not touch the ball unless they are inspecting it.
* players and officials should bring their own drinks and food or buy it from the canteen or kiosk.
MORE CRICKET
Kingston Heath lands key recruits
Long Island secures another gun bat