Cricket umps told to mask up when season starts
Cricket Victoria and Sport and Recreation have gone into bat for umpires but the State Government is firm in its decision: they must wear a face covering in 2020-21.
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Some umpires don’t agree with the decision.
But unless they have a medical exemption they’ll have to wear masks when they stand in matches in the 2020-21 season.
The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services made the ruling after being approached by Sport and Recreation Victoria (SRV).
SRV had sought clarity on the issue at the request of Cricket Victoria.
Some associations are reporting umpires are threatening to stand down if they are required to wear masks.
In Geelong 20 of the local competition’s 34 umpires had indicated they would walk away because of the ruling, according to secretary Brian Jones.
“If somebody could tell me why 13 players — 11 fielders and two batsmen — can run around on the ground … and yet the 60-year-old behind the stumps is required to wear a mask … I’d happily listen, but I can’t think of a logical answer,” Jones said.
In an update to its return-to-play bulletin last Friday, Cricket Victoria said the DHHS position was clear: umpiring did not meet the reasons for a broad-based exemption, but it noted some umpires might meet the exemption test.
“While CV acknowledge that many umpires would prefer not to wear a mask for various reasons, CV fully support the DHHS position,’’ the bulletin said.
“Ultimately DHHS set the COVID-19 direction for the state, SRV help to ensure clarity for sport from the DHHS position and CV seek to ensure clarity for cricket.
“The pandemic rules set down are to protect people involved in cricket (including umpires) but also with the wider it community.’’
It said that, as with other restrictions, the decision could change.
Cricket Victoria competitions manager Darren Anderson told a webinar for umpires last week that CV had been advocating to have umpires excused from wearing masks, raising occupational health and safety issues as well as the ability to make decisions to players with hearing impairments.
In cricket terms CV had gone to DRS hoping to get the green light.
“Unfortunately however the red light has been shown and the communication we have received back is that all umpires must wear a mask on the field unless they can provide a medical exemption,’’ he said.
“We recommend people jump in on the DHHS website to check out the face coverings and face mask requirements and see what exemptions are in place. That might be for people who have a medical condition that limits their ability to wear a mask and if that is the case do make sure you get documentation to take to games so people are aware what the issue is.’’
Anderson added: “We understand it isn’t an ideal situation however as the laws of cricket say we must accept the umpire’s decision, in this case the State Government’s for now, and not argue the point. We will keep checking in with the State Government but we do need to accept it for now and get on with playing cricket.’’
But players on the ground will not be required to wear masks.
CV’s Paul Milo said it came down to State Government exercise protocols and was optional for anyone undertaking physical activity, such as batsmen, bowlers and fielders.
But people off the ground, including players, coaches, scorers and other volunteers, and spectators, would have to wear them.
“The broad difference between a player and an umpire is the strenuous exercise test,’’ Milo said.
“You might get some who doesn’t do a lot of running, but at some point in time a player might be asked to run 50m, whereas umpires, broadly speaking, are standing.’’
Milo said all clubs and associations were aware that this season would be different and required extra effort. “I’m sure they appreciate we’re going to have a season, whereas footy and soccer and the winter codes didn’t play,’’ he said. “So if we can play and it looks a bit different, that’s a great result.’’
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