ICC may consider air pollution in its playing conditions in February meet
NEWDELHI: The ICC might incorporate air pollution in its ‘Playing Conditions’ clause, having taken a serious note of the plight of Sri Lankan cricketers during the Test in Delhi.
The Sri Lankan players were seen fielding with anti-pollution masks during India’s batting, with most of their players complaining of breathlessness. Pace bowlers Suranga Lakmal and Lahiru Gamage also threw up due to uneasiness.
The ICC has now decided to refer the matter to its medical committee, which has been provided the relevant reports as well as data of the prevailing air quality in Delhi. “The ICC has already requested that the issue is considered by the medical committee for guidance should the situation arise in future. The matter is likely to be discussed in February’s ICC meetings,” said an ICC spokesperson.
As a result, there could be a slight alteration in the clauses of the Playing Conditions, where the health hazard of players related to severe air pollution can be incorporated.
“In ICC’S ‘Playing Conditions’, there is a separate sub- clause for weather since this is a first instance in the game’s 140-year history that a Test was halted for 26 minutes due to air pollution. The situation as we all know is very unique in nature,” a BCCI official said on condition of anonymity.
Since the Playing Conditions never had any specific mention of air pollution, it is expected that the permissible AQI (Air Quality Index) limit to play competitive cricket will be inserted.