Cricket adopting new rules to deal with pandemic
Playing cricket this season will not be like any other, with match-day protocols outlined by Cricket Australia including measures that will make the game “a lot different to what everyone is used to”. Here’s what a day in the field will look like.
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Playing cricket in a pandemic will be a privilege, a leading Victorian administrator says.
Uncertainty surrounds the start of the season at Premier Cricket and community level, but new guidelines are being established as the game deals with COVID-19.
“There are going to be some onerous tasks and jobs for volunteers, players and umpires that are going to have to be completed on a weekly basis, just so we can get out on the park and play a season of cricket,’’ CV competitions manager Darren Anderson said.
“Everyone needs to understand this won’t be a normal cricket season and what we’re saying is that cricket in a pandemic will be a privilege.
“The message we’re trying to put out is that cricket will be a lot different to what everyone is used to.’’
Cricket Australia is developing match-day protocols for all states to deal with COVID-19.
They include:
■ CAPTAINS having to clean the ball every few overs with an antimicrobial wipe, as well as when a wicket falls and at breaks in play.
■ AT THE end of every over the ball must be placed next to the stumps where the next over is to be bowled. It will also apply when a wicket is taken and at the end of a playing session.
■ NO SALIVA or sweat to be used on the ball.
■ UMPIRES not to take a bowler’s cap, glasses or jumper. They will instead be placed at a designated position on the ground or over the boundary.
■ NO SHARING of equipment.
■ SOCIAL distancing at the toss of the coin and for scorers.
Cricket Australia sent Cricket Victoria an outline of the return-to-play guidelines.
CV has given feedback after discussing the measures with clubs and associations.
Anderson said sharing of equipment was common in local cricket and clubs would need to put thought into how they would approach it.
“Gloves, pads, helmets, thigh guards, they’re all designed to absorb sweat and so the message is that there is to be no sharing between players, and no doubt that will cause a few issues, especially at the junior levels,’’ he said.
“We’re working through with Cricket Australia and the respective government agencies to find out a bit more about that but that’s what we’re putting out there, no equipment sharing.’’
Cricket Victoria has had webinar meetings with metropolitan and country associations and clubs to get them thinking about what’s ahead.
More than 500 club representatives from across the state were linked in.
“We brought the associations up to speed with some of the things that will need to happen, not just on match day, but finance, communications, planning, a whole raft of different areas,’’ Anderson said.
“Then last week we spoke to clubs and spoke about what they need to be considering: constantly revisiting their budgets, because it’s different to what they’ve done in the past, there will be budgeting around safety and signage and ensuring all the processes and procedures will be in place as per State Government requirements.
“There will also be the additional playing guidelines to deal with and make sure they’re ticking off on.’’
Anderson said some country associations were hopeful of starting their seasons in early to mid-October but most accepted they were facing longer delays.
“What that looks like, whether it’s end of October, whether it’s early, mid or late-November or whether it’s December, we’re just not sure,’’ he said.
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