Resume cricket but only if there is no risk of spurt in local transmission: ICC

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.

As member nations ease restrictions imposed to contain the pandemic, the International Cricket Council on Friday issued comprehensive guidelines aimed at getting the sport up and running around the world while at the same time maintaining the highest safety protocols.

'Safety first' is one of the primary considerations of the ICC's back-to-cricket 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.

While England remains one of the most affected countries, major cricket-playing nations such as India and Pakistan have seen a spike in the number of coronavirus positive cases in recent weeks.

The world governing body of the sport added: "Every effort should be made to ensure that risks associated with the cricket environment -- field of play, training venue, changing rooms, equipment, management of the ball have been mitigated before any training session or match."
"Where sporting activities has been expressly forbidden by governments, no cricket activity should commence until approval to do so has been obtained from the government."
"Hygiene practices specific to cricket such as no sharing of drink bottles and towels and the safe management of the ball."
"Where possible, players should be encouraged to shower and change at home instead of at match and training venues."