Board draws guidelines to resume cricket training

New Delhi, Aug. 3: The BCCI is forming a Covid19 task force and it will include, among others, former captain and National Cricket Academy chief Rahul Dravid, the apex body said in its Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to State associations.

Players will have to sign a consent form before resuming training at their respective centres as per the standard operating procedure, which bars anyone above 60 years of age and individuals with underlying medical conditions from being part of the camp.

For resumption of training at the NCA in Bengaluru, the Covid task force will include Dravid, a medical officer, a hygiene officer and BCCI AGM, Cricket Operations.

The 2019-2020 domestic season ended in March but the upcoming season, which usually starts in August, is set to be curtailed due to the health crisis.

“The health and safety of players, staff and stakeholders will be the sole responsibility of respective State Cricket Associations,” read the BCCI guidelines on resumption of cricket.

Support staff, officials and ground staff over 60 years of age and with individuals with underlying medical conditions are barred from attending training camps until “suitable guidelines are issued by the Government”.

Before the commencement of the camp, the medical team should acquire travel and medical history (past 2 weeks) of all players and staff through an online questionnaire. Any player and staff suspected to have Covid-19-like symptoms should undergo PCR tests.

“Two tests one day apart (Day 1 & Day 3) should be done to account for false negatives. If both the test results are negative, only then they should be included in the camp,” read the SOP.

The players will have to wear a N95 mask (without a valved respirator) on the way to the stadium and will be encouraged to wear eyewear in public places as well as during training. Players are advised to take their own transportation on way to the stadium. —

● For resumption of training at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, the Covid task force will include former Indian captain Rahul Dravid, a medical officer, a hygiene officer and BCCI AGM, Cricket Operations.