Is Sourav Ganguly interested in ICC’s chairman post?

Players can’t handover hats to umpires or take a leak

Dubai, May 23: There will neither be loo breaks during training nor the players will be allowed to hand over their caps or sunglasses to the on-field umpires as international cricketers will be required to let go of some of their intrinsic habits when play resumes in the post-Covid-19 world.

In its “back to cricket” guidelines issued for resumption of the game, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has effectively barred players from handing over their personal equipments (cap, towel, sunglasses, jumpers) to the umpire or his teammates as part of maintaining social distance.

“Players and umpires should maintain social distancing on the cricket field and that includes no handing over of player items (cap, towels, sunglasses, jumpers) to the umpire or teammates,” read the ICC playing guidelines.

However there was no clarity on who will keep the players’ items?

“Consider adopting a process that will assist the bowler in managing his/her items. Umpires may also be encouraged to use gloves when handling the ball,” says the governing body.

The players are unlikely to keep their cap or sunglasses in the field of play as it would attract penalty runs just like in the case of a helmet. The ICC also wants them to minimise their “time spent in the changing room before and after a match”.

BOARD CAUTIONS MEMBER NATIONS The ICC has advised its member nations to exercise caution while resuming cricket activities, fearing a spurt in local transmission with many countries still struggling to contain the Covid-19 pandemic. ‘Safety first’ is one of the primary considerations of the ICC’s back-tocricket guidelines and involving the governments at all stages is a must. “The resumption of cricket activities should begin only if there is no perceived or known risk that doing so might result in an increase in the local transmission rate,” the ICC said in its guidelines.

— PTI

ICC umpire Richard Kettleborough (left) hands over a cap to Pakistan’s pacer Naseem Shah in this file photo.