International cricket is making a comeback as England hosts the West Indies for a threematch series
The biobubble is the mantra for cricket boards around the world, trying to create an environment that will ensure the protection of players and other stakeholders in the times of COVID19.
in a “biosecure” environment. We take you inside cricket’s cocoon, which promises to provide a secure space for every stakeholder and ensure the resumption of the game.
Anew bubble is oating in the cricket world these days, centred around plans to restart the game amid the coronavirus upheaval.
The cricket boards of different countries are pinning their hopes on the “biobubble” model to resume cricket after almost four months’ hiatus.
Even so, the cricketing fraternity is divided over the feasibility of the biobubble, which aims at conducting the game in a controlled and secure environment where health and discipline are priorities.
If the plans work, there will be some quality cricket over the next couple of months, with England hosting the West Indies and Pakistan.
The trial run thus far has been a success. The West Indies team, which will play England in a threematch Test series starting July ■, has already spent a couple of weeks in a controlled biobubble environment at Old Traord in Manchester. There have been thorough tests regularly and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has ensured there are no loopholes in its planning.
But there are challenges, too.
With the United Kingdom grappling with the coronavirus, the players can’t venture out. They are at the onsite team hotel. And West Indies head coach Phil Simmons agrees that it’s not easy to be indoors all day. “The biggest challenge is boredom,” Simmons says.
Once training is over, the West Indies players keep themselves busy with indoor games such as dominoes and cards. The team also has a golf simulation centre. “We have cards, a few things the guys are enjoying,” Simmons says. Even pace ace Kemar Roach admits that “being in your room a lot more than usual is probably a little more taxing on the brain.” But then, he also knows that they are “in England for cricket, and that’s the priority.”
While it needs to be seen how things pan out when the rst Test begins at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, some of the top cricket administrators are condent the model will work. “One needs to get used to the new normal,” says one administrator.
What’s the bubble?
The dictionary denes biosecurity as the “precautions taken to protect against the spread of lethal or harmful organisms and diseases.”
This is the mantra for the cricket boards around the world trying to create an environment that will ensure the protection of players and other stakeholders in the times of COVID19.
The idea is to shortlist a few venues that will have all the facilities on site — ground, practice arena, gym and hotel. At a time when travel restrictions are in place and a 14day quarantine is a must, cricket administrators believe such facilities will be perfect for teams.
This is why England has chosen Southampton and Old Traord as the two venues for its series against the West Indies and Pakistan.
The Ageas Bowl in the port town of