West Indies and England players poised to face stricter protocols post lockdown

International cricket is on the verge of resumption post a hiatus owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. England will be hosting West Indies for a three-match Test series beginning on the 8th of July 2020. The UK government has announced a relaxation on the lockdown from the 4th of July, just 4 days prior to the start of the Test series.

The strictness of procedures imposed on the English and West Indian cricketers, placing them in a bio-secure bubble could witness them facing a strange situation. While the rest of the country trudges towards normality, the cricketers from the two countries will have to isolate themselves further to avoid any potential mishaps. The situation evokes a strange outlook as the cricketers will face a contrasting protocol from the rest of the country. "At some point, we could have protocols within the bubble that are very, very different from protocols in the general population," said Ashley Giles, the director of men's cricket at the ECB.

"It will be quite strange. We could be in a situation where we have a very secure bubble during the second and third Tests of the series and the rest of the world is operating at a new normal where restaurants and pubs are opening again. Our main responsibility is to get this series on the road and keeping everyone safe, especially including the West Indies team who have done so much to come here,” he added.

However, the ECB has not yet placed a ban on the English players leaving the bubble to go out and meet their friends and family post-lockdown. Despite the risk of them contracting the virus, Giles placed the onus on the players to be responsible and not jeopardize the health of their fellow cricketers, and consequently any future cricketing activity. "We haven't talked about banning them, but I think we ask them to be sensible and they have been throughout this whole process of the last three months," Giles said.

"They need to continue that. If you come back into the environment and you haven't been adhering to the guidelines then you put everyone else and the series at risk. So that's all we ask. We have a group of players who are of that way anyway.”

Giles reemphasized the need for everyone to adhere to the safety protocols put in place to ensure everyone involved remains healthy. "It is just about removing as much risk as we can," he said. "We have been in constant dialogue with the players. We had another briefing on Friday with them that was about the entry to the bubble. There is a lot of detail and people will make mistakes. For the sake of everyone and cricket, we need to operate within these protocols.”

Players might welcome the resumption of cricket, but Giles thinks the situation will not be too joyous. ”It will be weird, anyone who thinks this is going to be holiday camp is going to be seriously mistaken. There could be an opportunity for the guys to play golf on the course next door but apart from that and two sessions of cricket and some gym work - social distancing, wearing of masks, probably spending a lot of time on your own - it's not a lot of fun and I think it is a bit of a culture shock. 

“We have all spent three months in lockdown. Personally leaving home today feels strange. Packing your bags again - it is quite a weird feeling to not be so sure when you leave your front door.”

[Cricbuzz inputs]