ECB Covid-19 Update for England and Wales

On 1 April, the Government’s guidance on COVID-19 measures for grassroots sport participants and providers was lifted. To align with this policy change, ECB has also removed any cricket specific guidance relating to COVID-19. As such, clubs and leagues will no longer be required to follow any protocols aside from the single piece of public health guidance issued by UK Health Security Agency.

This good news means we have the green light to return to business as usual for the 2022 season. However, we continue to encourage players and volunteers in the game to be responsible and considerate to others.

Practice Good Hygiene

• Continue to follow good hygiene practices to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. For example, keeping your venues clean and avoiding the sharing of water bottles or other refreshment containers.
• As a proud Community Cricket Partner of the ECB, Lifebuoy is pleased to offer a heavily subsidised range of hygiene products to help clubs across England & Wales safely return to recreational cricket [Click Here to stock up]

Ensure Proper Ventilation

• Ventilate your indoor spaces by opening windows and doors and using suitable mechanical ventilation where available.
• Show Respect for Others

Show Respect For Others

• Continue to be respectful to individuals at higher risk who may still wish to minimise their contact with other people. For example, by not shaking hands before games or physically distancing, or expecting umpires to accept clothing or hats on the field of play
• If you have Covid symptoms, consider getting tested and avoiding any unnecessary contact with your fellow club members.

You may also wish to early adopt MCC’s new Law 41.3 - No saliva to help reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission 

This new law which comes into force game-wide from October 2022, preserves the playing conditions widely adopted during the Covid period that prohibited the use of saliva to change the ball’s condition. Instead of saliva, players will continue to use sweat to polish the ball, a practice that MCC’s research found equally effective at allowing bowlers to swing the ball.

Not only will Law 41.3 improve hygiene, it will also remove any grey areas around fielders eating sugary sweets to alter the saliva they apply to the ball. Once enacted using saliva will be treated the same way as any other unfair methods of changing the condition of the ball.