Earlier return on the cards as local cricket competitions gear up for new season
The easing of State Government restrictions has brought forward the date when players can start training for 2020-21. And associations will have the option of fixturing their first rounds on October 24.
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Melbourne’s cricketers could be hitting grounds a week earlier than they had expected.
Sunday’s State Government announcements about the easing of COVID-19 restrictions have effectively brought forward Cricket Victoria’s plans to get competitions going.
Training will now be able to resume from October 19, and associations will have the option of starting on Saturday, October 24.
CV however has encouraged them to give players the opportunity to have some solid training behind them before they play.
Officials planning fixtures will take into account that the AFL grand final will also be held on October 24, and the following week is Melbourne Cup weekend.
Cricket Victoria will await confirmation from Sport and Recreation Victoria before updating its road map to return to training and play. It’s expected to be released on Wednesday.
Clubs have been urged to have practice matches to trial new protocols to deal with COVID-19.
Premier Cricket’s proposed start of November 21 is unlikely to be changed but the October 19 date for returning to train will allow clubs to have an extra hitout on November 7.
Cricket Victoria is stressing that playing cricket in a pandemic is a “privilege’’.
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.
The groups can be rotated across the session but they cannot mix.
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.
Cricket Victoria’s first road map to return to train and play stated that spectators could not attend senior cricket, but Sport and Recreation Victoria has since relented.
And equipment will be able to shared, as long as it is cleaned before being used.
Players must wear masks when they aren’t batting, bowling or involved in fielding drills where running is involved.
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.
Cricket Victoria is discussing with SRV a requirement that umpires must wear face masks.
The issue has been raised in the Geelong association, with umpires association secretary Brian Jones saying 15 of its 35 umpires had indicated they would not be standing in the middle if they were required to wear a mask.
A Cricket Victoria spokesman told the Geelong Advertiser it was working with the State Government on the mask mandate.
“We understand the challenges for umpires in wearing masks or face shields in combination with hats and sunglasses,” the spokesman said.
“We will continue to reiterate that, in addition to supporting important public health measures, umpires also need to be able to adjudicate safely and clearly.”
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