BSP-15 Cricket chiefs allow virus substitutions in Tests

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ZCZC

BSP-15

CRICKET-ICC-SUBSTITUTES

Cricket chiefs allow virus substitutions in Tests

LONDON, June 9, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Test teams will be allowed to field
substitutes for players displaying coronavirus symptoms, the
International Cricket Council said on Tuesday.

The new regulation is one of several interim changes designed to
prevent the spread of COVID-19 when cricket resumes, including a ban
on saliva being used to shine the ball.

As happens with concussion substitutes, any replacement would be
able to play a full part in the match but it would be down to the
match referee to approve the nearest like-for-like switch.

Previously, substitutes were restricted to fielding.

The regulation for COVID-19 replacements would not be applicable in
limited-overs internationals.

Other changes ratified by the ICC’s chief executives committee
include a ban on applying saliva to the ball, a method employed by
fast bowlers on one side of the ball to make it swing.

A team can be issued with up to two warnings per innings but
repeated use of saliva on the ball would result in a five-run penalty
to the batting side.

But the ICC explained in a statement that “the umpires will manage
the situation with some leniency during an initial period of
adjustment for the players”.

International travel restrictions have seen the ICC relax its rule
mandating that neutral umpires stand in Tests.

The ICC said given there may be “less experienced” officials on
duty it would increase the number of unsuccessful appeals per innings
for each team to three for Tests and two for white-ball formats.

Concerns had been expressed that the pandemic might lead to Chris
Broad — the only English official on the elite panel of referees —
adjudicating on incidents involving an England team featuring his son,
Stuart Broad.

With commercial income set to take a hit, given that cricket will
resume without fans at the grounds, the ICC has relaxed rules on
apparel logos for the next 12 months.

Sponsors’ logos will now be permitted in the prime position of the
chest of a Test match shirt or sweater in addition to the three others
presently allowed under ICC regulations.

Currently, logos on chests are only allowed in one-day matches and
Twenty20 internationals.

The new regulations are set to apply for the first time when
England face the West Indies in the opening match of a three-Test
series at the bio-secure venue of Southampton, starting on July 8.

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