LOCAL cricket clubs are going to have to reshape how they operate in order to keep the game going in the COVID-19 age.
Cricket Australia is in the process of establishing guidelines and match-day protocols to ensure teams can take the field again, sending them out to the states for feedback.
These guidelines will include barring the sharing of equipment and requiring captains to clean the ball every few overs with an antibacterial wipe, as well as during breaks and when a wicket falls.
The ball will be placed next to the stumps at the end of an over to be picked up by the next bowler to start their over. This will also happen at the end of a session or after a wicket.
No saliva or sweat can be used on the ball and umpires will not be able to take a bowler’s cap or glasses. Uncertainty surrounds the start of cricket seasons across the state, 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 are 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 will be allowed.
* SOCIAL distancing at the toss of the coin and for scorers.
Cricket Australia has 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.
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.
