The Emirates Cricket Board are cautiously optimistic about the sport’s return in the UAE, even if the immediate plans of the national team remain unclear.
Cricket was among the sports listed with specific recommendations in return-to-play guidelines issued by Dubai Sports Council on Wednesday.
It stated the sport could recommence training activities immediately, so long as a series of safety measures related to Covid-19 are implemented.
These include the directive that there will be “no more than eight participants” per group coaching session, with nets limited to six players.
There will also be “no spitting on the cricket ground,” and no use of sweat or saliva to shine the ball, while players have to bring their own equipment, such as bats and protective gear.
The ECB are in the process of finalising precautionary guidelines of their own, based on the ICC’s return to play document, which was issued at the weekend.
“We are going to give guidelines in terms of what return to play will look like from a cricket perspective,” Andy Russell, the ECB’s development manager, said.
“It has to fall within the government regulations, so [the venues] will have to get approvals from the specific sports councils.”
Initially, cricket activities will be limited to training only, with no matches.
It has to fall within the government regulations, so [the venues] will have to get approvals from the specific sports councils
Under 12s are also not permitted to play, while over 60s are also precluded under the DSC regulations.
The ICC provided safety advice at the weekend, although acknowledged its guidelines did “not seek to address the question of when cricket can restart – as this is individualised to each country”.
The situation in the UAE is localised further, with Dubai the first to issue directives over a return to playing.
“Although cricket is not a contact sport, the cricket ball is a potential transmission medium and rules should be applied around the management of the ball,” the ICC document said.
“On-field behaviour that includes celebrations with body contact, and shared use of drink bottles, towels and equipment, can pose a risk in cricket, and should be strongly discouraged.
“The ICC recommends a phased approach to resuming training activity, starting with solo training followed by small group activities and thereafter larger groups and full training [in compliance with government restrictions].
“The load and intensity of training over the stages should be progressive to prevent injury.”
The UAE's players have been undergoing regular fitness training during lockdown.
Despite the optimism over a return to playing the game, the senior national team’s agenda remains uncertain.
Robin Singh, the director of cricket, has been unable to return from India since the start of lockdown.
He had returned to his homeland after overseeing a successful first assignment in charge, when the UAE won the first round of Asia Cup qualifying back in February.
He had been due to fulfill his role as batting coach for the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.
However, the IPL was suspended, and Singh was subsequently unable to return to Dubai because of the travel restrictions that were implemented in March.
The coach has remained in regular contact with his UAE charges, while they have all been training remotely in lockdown anyway.
When he will be able to return is unsure, though, while the suspension of the IPL also prompts questions over his availability for later this year.
Organisers of the IPL are said to be looking at a window in October or November to reschedule.
The UAE also have several assignments that are currently postponed, meaning they could also be busy in that window.
The pandemic accounted for Cricket World Cup League Two series in the United States in April, as well as Papua New Guinea, which was due to be played in June.
The national team are also due to play in the final phase of Asia Cup qualifying in Malaysia in August.
Whether that tournament – or even the main event, scheduled for September – can go ahead remains in doubt.
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