The key questions on the impact of coronavirus in cricket

Cricket

England’s three-Test series against the West Indies will go ahead next month subject to government clearance, the England and Wales Cricket Board has confirmed.

Cricket West Indies had earlier granted approval in principle for the tour, which features one Test at the Ageas Bowl and two at Old Trafford.

With international cricket on the way back, the PA news agency looks at the impact coronavirus has had on the sport.

Will we see live cricket on these shores again soon?

England hope to squeeze in a near full international campaign, starting with the West Indies Tests – slated for July 8, 16 and 24. A great deal of planning has gone into the issue of ‘bio-security’ and the all-in-one locations at the Ageas Bowl and Emirates Old Trafford (which both house training facilities and hotels) will be used. The England women’s team hope to begin training towards the end of June but domestic cricket looks a long way off. The county season has been pushed back to August 1 at the earliest, with a variety of shortened-season models being assessed, including regionally divided competitions.

How will training work and who is involved?

A bumper group of 55 – the core squad members augmented by 14 uncapped players and a host of fringe options – have been chosen to resume training by England. The initial cohort of 18 bowlers will work alongside a maximum support team of one coach, one physio and a strength and conditioning specialist. Sessions will take place at up to 11 first-class venues, with players encouraged to visit only those closest to their homes. Batsmen and wicketkeepers, followed by a selection of white-ball specialists will follow as the ECB prepares for the possibility of format-specific squads this summer. Coaching staff from across the county network have been co-opted to assist.

What safety precautions are in place?

The ECB has set out a series of measures which it believes makes the environment as safe as possible. Players and support staff must attend training in full kit, observe social distancing and take temperature checks on arrival. Any medical treatment will be delivered with the use of full personal protective equipment and will be outdoors where weather-conditions permit. Director of cricket Ashley Giles says the process should make it safer than a trip to the supermarket.

Why has The Hundred been postponed?

The decision was made for three primary reasons: the likely unavailability of overseas talent, the probability of empty stadiums should any cricket be possible this summer and the logistical challenges caused by the amount of operations staff currently on furlough at host venues. For a competition explicitly designed to grow the profile of the sport and draw new fans – inside grounds and on television – the problems represented a perfect storm.

Will cricket be played behind closed doors?

The decision-makers began looking at this eventuality early on and determined it would be the only viable solution to get international cricket back. Test captain Joe Root has already spoken about the wrench he would feel if fans were kept away, but needs must. At domestic level, the idea of a limited-number of fans attending has not been ruled out, and the matter will be reviewed by the Professional Game Group.

How different could cricket look?

Hugs could be a thing of the past
Hugs could be a thing of the past (Tim Goode/PA)

The time honoured method of shining the ball using saliva has drawn the attention of the ICC’s medical advisory committee. Both have recommended banning the practice for the time being. Sweat will be allowed, as it is deemed to present a lesser risk, while Australian manufacturer Kookaburra’s idea of a wax applicator appears to have fallen on deaf ears. On the field there will be no hugs, handshakes or close-up celebrations and umpires have been instructed not to take jumpers or caps from bowlers.

What about the World Test Championship?

  1. India – 360pts
  2. Australia – 296
  3. New Zealand – 180
  4. England – 146
  5. Pakistan – 140

After years of deliberation, the International Cricket Council finally pulled the trigger on a codified tournament for the most prestigious format. The first final is due to be played at Lord’s in June 2021, but the prospect of completing all scheduled series in time seems a stretch. Behind the scenes, the ICC is currently engaged in contingency planning, but with no real time pressure the specifics do not need to be settled imminently.

And what of the Twenty20 World Cup in October?

England are hoping to become double world champions in Australia.
England are hoping to become double world champions in Australia (Nick Potts/PA)

The idea of inviting 16 teams to seven host cities in Australia in October seems a highly ambitious one and there is a growing acceptance, be it from England captain Eoin Morgan or Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts, that a delay is imminent. The ICC board were due to debate the matter in depth but pushed the subject back to its next meeting after getting sidetracked by an internal row over ‘confidentiality’.

What impact does all this have financially?

The ECB suggests the crisis could cost it an eye-watering GBP 380million, with a minimum loss of around GBP 100m. Nevertheless it has approved a financial stimulus package worth GBP 61m to support the game. England’s centrally contracted players have donated GBP 500,000 back to the game, executives have taken pay cuts and a collective agreement has been thrashed out between the Professional Cricketers’ Association, the ECB and the 18 first-class counties. County cricketers accepted “maximum reductions” in their salaries during April and May while also agreeing to waive GBP 1m in prize money this year.

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