Today ICC released the guidelines for the resumption of cricket activities. The guidelines is for its members to create policies for back to cricket activity within their own country.
Guidelines also focus on the umpires, match referees and support and specified that they are at higher risk of severe illness due to COVID-19.
“Cricket is officiated by umpires on the field of play and their health and well-being needs to be taken into full consideration as they spend the greatest amount of time in close proximity to players,” ICC guidelines read.
“Participants, in particular umpires, match referees and support staff may be considered vulnerable individuals that are at higher risk of severe illness due to CV-19. This includes older individuals (approx. 60+) and people of any age with underlying medical conditions such as cardiac, kidney, diabetes, obesity, weak innate immunity, etc,” the guidelines also read.
On field protocols have laid to reduce the risk by maintaining the social distancing.
“Players and umpires should maintain social distancing on the field of play and that includes no handing over of player items (cap, towels, sunglasses, jumpers) to the umpire or teammates. Consider adopting a process that will assist the bowler in managing his/her items,” the guidelines said.
“Umpires to consider wearing gloves when handling the ball. On-field protocols – For example, no unnecessary body contact and no handing over items (cap, towels, sunglasses etc.) to umpires or teammates. Each player should be responsible for their own items,” the guidelines said.