Cricket SA to learn from England on safety protocols

Cricket South Africa (CSA) are not actively developing returnto-play protocols during the Covid-19 hiatus.

They do not need to. They have instead struck an agreement with the England Cricket Board to adopt some of the methods the English are likely to employ as part of their return-to-play protocols over the coming weeks‚ if not months.

CSA has the relative luxury of being out of season as far as their domestic schedule is concerned but countries like England are facing dire losses with the start of their season on hold.

“We are going to hold hands with England.

“I’ve reached out to [ECB director of events] Steve Elworthy and [CEO] Tom Harrison.

“I know both well‚” CSA acting CEO Jacques Faul said.

“Doc [Shuaib] Manhra [CSA chief medical officer] is looking into it.”

England will put their protocols to the test at County level‚ as well as their scheduled clashes against Australia (T20s and ODIs) and Pakistan (Test and T20 series).

Faul is hoping to glean as much as he can from the English experience.

“We are considering making a case to the minister at a later stage.

“We have been proactive but England have to develop protocols and guidelines first.

“What is bio-safe in the UK would be bio-safe here.

“Stadiums tend to have the same facilities and I think we can get a decent benchmark from them.”

Faul said CSA wanted measures in place that would enable them to hit the deck running next season.

He acknowledged that the players would have to play their part in ensuring a safe playing environment.

Some of the quirks unique to cricket may disappear as a result.

“No saliva on the ball‚ no high fives‚ you may not even have a crowd‚ you can field with masks.

“If you don’t adapt‚ you will get to return to the field later.

“You will have to make changes to the game because we are risk bound‚” Faul said.

Though the Covid-19 lockdown has not hit CSA that hard‚ Faul is anticipating a delayed blow.

“Our [business] model is built around hosting international matches.

“That is where we get the bulk of our money from.

“We haven’t lost content yet but if India don’t come here it is $10m and that is R180m lost.

“Then you have to see how your sponsors pay or don’t pay.

“I think our trouble is still in the mail. The challenges are on the way.

“It will definitely impact negatively on us‚ about that I have no doubt whatsoever‚” Faul said. —