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Your back-to-cricket club checklist

It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for. With recreational cricket officially given the green-light to resume from this weekend, we want to help the Bear Pack return to cricket as safely as possible.

To help you #getthegameon we’ve also compiled a quick-look checklist of some of the key things your club will need to remember to implement on gameday. It’s not exhaustive list – and please read the full guidelines before arranging any fixtures. You can find the full official ECB guidelines here.

 

Pre-Game

Appoint a COVID coordination officer

Many clubs are finding having a dedicated COVID officer is a good way to ensure the correct protocols are in place and adhered to. They can drive the process.

Carry out a full risk assessment

Is it safe for your club to return to cricket? Carry out a comprehensive risk assessment to identify what systems you need in place to protect your players, officials and spectators. Take guidance from the full ECB guidelines.

Create a COVID policy for your club

To guarantee a safe return, all players, coaches and spectators have to buy in to the club’s COVID procedures. Some clubs are creating COVID policy documents to formalise this. 

Deep clean all indoor facilities and shared equipment

Shared equipment should be avoided wherever possible. Items such as stumps and balls that will be touched by multiple people need particular attention. As do unavoidably shared facilities like toilets. Players should not be using the changing rooms. Club bars can open in-line with current government guidelines around hospitality. 

Ensure social distancing measures are in place

Social distancing measures need to be in place in all high-traffic areas. The clubhouse, carpark and toilets will all need processes in place.

Install a sanitising station

Encouraging good hygiene practices is key. An outdoor hand sanitising station will need to be available for the regular sanitisation breaks during play.

Mark out running lanes

Batsmen need to be encouraged to run between the wicket at a distance from each other, the bowler, umpire and wicket keeper. Mark running lanes at a 2m+ distance either side of the strip. 

 

Game Day

Limit numbers

11-a-side cricket has the go ahead. Total participant numbers (including coaches and officials) need to be limited to under 30 at any one time.

Adjust your meet times

Adjust your timings to minimise the amount of time players are milling around at the ground before the game starts. Leave enough time between playing groups to ensure there is no cross-over that would exceed the 30-participant limit e.g. if you are hosting two age group matches at the same ground on the same day.

Arrive ready to play

Tell all players to arrive in their whites ready to play. Keep the changing rooms and shower facilities closed.

Compile a track and trace register

It is crucial to be able to track and trace all participants should anyone develop symptoms of COVID after attending the ground. You will need a contact-free registration system for people to sign into upon arrival at the ground. Be mindful of data protection, too.

Sanitise before taking to the field

Before heading out to play – the fielding team and both umpires will need to sanitise their hands with anti-bacterial hand gel. Some players may be more comfortable using their own personal hand sanitiser, others can use your sanitisation station.

Carry out regular sanitisation breaks

The ECB guidelines set out that sanitisation breaks should take place every 20 minutes or 6 overs (whichever comes first). The ball will also need to be disinfected at these breaks.

No shared food or drinks

The club should provide no communal food or drinks. Players will need to bring their own refreshments that cannot be shared outside of their household.

Encourage batsmen to clean their bat

Upon dismissal or close of innings, batsmen should disinfect their bats and ideally the rest of their batting equipment to avoid contamination.

Avoid shared equipment

Players should use their own personal equipment wherever possible. In the event items are shared – they will need to be fully disinfected between uses.

Protect your officials

It’s not just players that need looking after. Make sure umpires don’t handle the ball or bowlers’ hats/sweaters/sunglasses. Strictly only the scorer should be in the scorebox and only one person should have the responsibility of operating the scoreboard. These areas will also need regular sanitisation.

Minimise contact with the ball

Players need to be aware that the ball must be passed directly back to either the wicket keeper or bowler in the field. Not thrown from fielder to fielder.

 

Post Game

Ensure post-match gatherings adhere to guidelines

While club bars are permitted to open – this has to be in adherence with government guidelines around hospitality.

Deep clean all equipment and contact areas

The club will need to give one person the responsibility of disinfecting shared items like stumps, boundary markers and bails after the game. All club facilities will need to be extensively deep cleaned to ensure they are sanitised between uses.

Check-in, track and trace

Check-in with your players and officials in the week after the game. If any of them are experiencing any symptoms, it is your responsibility to pass the details collected on your game day register to the official government track and trace system: https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk.

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