The COVID-19 pandemic has taken the world by storm and has brought life throughout the world to a standstill. The highly infectious nature of Coronavirus and massive infestations led to the suspension of many economic and commercial activities throughout the globe. Even the sports sector could not remain immune to the devastating effects of this deadly virus.
As soon as the effects of the pandemic start wearing down, the sporting events along with other activities, both cultural and economic will resume in various countries. The Cricket boards across all the nations will try to make up for lost time and revenue. Along with the resuming of these activities, ample care would have to be taken to prevent any further outbreak of the disease.
Thus, at least for a few months after the resumption of sporting activities, there will certainly be various restrictions in conducting these events. It is safe to say that cricket will not be the same during these few buffer months.
Here we discuss 5 ways in which International cricket may change post the COVID-19 pandemic:
1. Touring cricketers may have to arrive one month prior to the start of series
The most important factor affecting the International Calendar of the ICC post the pandemic will be the mandatory quarantine period for the travelling cricketers. Amidst the lockdown in various countries, international travel is suspended to a large extent and it is reasonable to assume that even after the restrictions are lifted, the tourists/travellers will have to undergo quarantine period while visiting another nation.
This situation puts the International sport in a particularly difficult position. Any country hosting another team would not risk the lives of its citizens for a bilateral series. Thus, players will have to undergo the prescribed isolation period in that particular nation before being allowed to enter the cricket field. Hence, the cricketers may have to arrive at least a month before the cricketing action begins like the West Indies has done now.
On the face of it, such a condition may seem cumbersome and tedious. However, it may also allow the players to get acclimatised to the conditions of the host country. And hence, the problems similar to those suffered by English players last year while touring South Africa (illness outbreak among the players) may be avoided.
