Prior to all cricket activity
All participants (players, coaches, officials, volunteers and spectators) should check for symptoms of COVID-19. In line with current UK Government Guidance, if an individual is symptomatic and/or living in a household with a possible COVID-19 infection they should remain at home and follow UK Government guidance.
In addition, any participants who have been asked to isolate by NHS Test and Trace because they are a contact of a known COVID-19 case, must not exercise outside their home or garden and must not exercise with others.
Participants should follow UK Government guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 (found here) if it applies to them.
Participants should comply with all public health restrictions and avoid high risk behaviour outside the sports setting to reduce the risk to their fellow participants when they do attend a cricket club or venue
Personal hygiene measures should be carried out at home before and after cricket activity.
Players to be reminded of the above as part of contact regarding selection. Other participants to be advised via club newsletter and social media.
Participants should bring their own hand sanitiser where possible and maintain strict and frequent hand hygiene measures at all times
Participants should follow UK Government guidance on best practice for travel, including minimising the use of public transport and limiting car sharing
Use of the clubhouse, changing rooms and toilets should adhere to the latest UK Government guidance
Club documentation on this shared via club newsletter and social media.
Club representatives should ensure that the facility is compliant with current UKGovernment legislation including legislation and guidance related to COVID-19. A risk assessment should have been completed and risk mitigation measures put in place and monitored in accordance with the ECB’s guidance on Getting your Clubhouse and Ground Ready for Step 4.
Club documentation on this shared via club newsletter and social media.
Club representatives should make all participants aware of expected social distancing and hygiene measures during play and whilst on site
Clubs should strictly limit the time spent congregating at a venue before activity begins. Meet-up times should reflect this.
Captains to pick meet up times appropriate to their team, taking into account any warm up or ground preparation tasks.
Participants should arrive changed and ready to begin the warm-up, if possible.
Club representatives should make all participants aware of the increase in transmission risk associated with partaking in even socially distanced group activity and should ensure that all participants are clear that they are opting to participate in cricket activity
Captains to advise during selection communication and at matches
During all cricket activity
Cricket activity must take place outdoors only.
11-a-side cricket can return as long as groups are limited to a maximum of 30 participants, including coaches and officials. Participants should enter the site and prepare their personal equipment whilst maintaining social distancing
Captains to direct players towards appropriate parts of the site to conduct their preparation, making full use of the outfield and surrounds to ensure social distancing
Where possible players should limit sharing of equipment. If they do, they must practise strict hand hygiene before and after use and the equipment must be cleaned before use by another person. More information is available here.
No sweat or saliva is to be applied to the ball at any time
All participants should sanitise their hands prior to the start of the activity
Hand sanitiser should be used at all breaks in activity and prior to consuming any food or drink
Players should refrain from spitting or rinsing out their mouths.
In line with current UK Government guidance, clubs should not prepare food for participants.
Individuals should bring their own food and drink for ‘teas’ or practice. Water bottles or other refreshment containers should not be shared.
All of the above to be verbally shared with players before taking the field
Players should adhere to UK Government social distancing guidance at all times(including throughout warm-ups) except in the following limited circumstances during competitive play in England only, where 1m+ is permitted: 1) wicket keepers standing up to the stumps and 2) distance between slip fielders
No sweat or saliva to be applied to the ball at any time.
A ‘hygiene break’ should take place every six overs or every 20 minutes, whichever is sooner, in which the ball is cleaned with an anti-bacterial wipe (conforming to BS EN 14476) and all participants’ hands are cleaned using a suitable sanitiser.
This routine should also be followed at the start of any drinks break or the close of an innings.
Wipes will be available along with essential match equipment in each pavilion
The responsibility for sanitising the ball during the match will lie with the fielding captain, not the umpire.
Batters to sanitise their bat when leaving the field of play and Wicket Keepers should sanitise their gloves.
Bowlers should not hand any personal items to the umpire.
Bowlers should place these items at the boundary themselves
Batters are to run in distinct running lines to ensure they are not within 2m of the bowler or other batter. Lines to be marked on the square on either side of the wicket.
Groundsman to arrange these lines
If two scorers are required, social distancing must be maintained with only one official inside the scorers’ box and no players to be allowed in the scorers’ box.
The scorers’ box should be well ventilated.
Communal scorebooks passed from one player to another should be avoided
Social distancing must always be maintained including during post-wicket celebrations, drinks breaks and tactical discussions.
Minimise sharing of the ball in a match by limiting contact as the ball makes its way back to the bowler e.g. ball goes straight from wicketkeeper to bowler instead of around surrounding fielders
Spectators should remain socially distanced at all times and refrain from all contact with the ball e.g. returning it to the field of play.
Spectator groups must be restricted to discrete six person gathering limits and spread out, inline with wider UK Government guidance.
Umpires should refrain from any contact with the ball, it can be returned to the base of the stumps at breaks and wickets
Umpires should be responsible for the stumps closest to them and should be the only person replacing the bails if dislodged.
In the event of rain, participants should return to their own vehicle to maintain social distancing if there is insufficient outdoor cover from the rain to maintain social distancing.
Application of covers in the event of wet weather should be done whilst maintaining social distancing.
Captains to remind players of these guidelines before the game and, where appropriate, during breaks in play or when any are in danger of not being followed.
After all cricket activity
All participants should sanitise their hands after the completion of activity
Participants should exit whilst maintaining social distancing
Social gathering after the activity will be allowed in line with current UK Government guidelines on hospitality and social distancing must be maintained
One club representative/volunteer should be responsible for collecting and disinfecting any shared equipment
Captain to do this or arrange delegation
Regular cleaning of equipment and the facility should take place, particularly between one group finishing, and the next group starting.
Any match equipment to be cleaned and placed back where it was stored before.
Clubs should encourage all participants to report any infection of their household to the NHS Test and Trace system following use of the facility to limit the spread of the virus https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works
Follow up message to be distributed via club twitter and also in captain’s subsequent communications
Clubs should make hand washing facilities and/or hand sanitiser available for all site users
Toilets are available for hand washing facilities and hand sanitiser will be present at each ground, alongside essential match equipment to avoid unnecessary access to the pavilions
Clubs must have entry and exit, and parking arrangements to venues that ensures social distancing can be maintained and implement traffic flow systems where possible and appropriate
Clubs must outline socially distanced areas for teams, officials, and spectators
Captains to direct teams and officials towards socially distanced areas for use outside of match play. Spectators to also be advised of social distancing requirement.
Clubs must ensure that all accessible provision within the site and the facility are available
Clubs and groundskeepers should mark running lines on the square in line with the popping crease at 2m intervals on either side of the wicket
Groundsman to include these in ground preparation
Clubs should support NHS Test and Trace efforts by keeping a temporary record of all participants in any cricket activity for 21 days and support NHS requests for data if needed.
Captains to forward a photo of scorecards to senior cricket chairman with additional notes to record any additional participants and their contact details.
Coaches/training leader to do an equivalent for training events.
For children, maximum groups sizes of 30 should include one qualified coach or All Stars Cricket Activator per group plus additional adult(s) required to meet cricket safeguarding ratios (1:8 aged 8 and under, 1:10 aged 9 and over).
All groups are to be self-sufficient e.g. a coach cannot oversee two separate groups
Parents should drop off and collect participants via a protocol that maintains social distancing
Parents should remain socially distanced on the side-line
For younger age groups, plastic equipment should be used and should be disinfected at the end of each session
The ECB will provide recommended activities to minimise close contact between participants and minimise the sharing of equipment, whilst still creating a fun and creative learning environment
It is recommended that participants take part in solo activity, before moving to pairs activity that maintains social distancing and allows participants to operate in the same pair for the length of the session
Additional advice for training & other activity
Where participants cannot provide their own individual equipment, we recommend numbering cricket equipment such as balls, so that each participant has a specific numbered ball and/or cone and uses that for the entirety of the session to minimise sharing of equipment where possible.
If bowling machines are used, they should be cleaned thoroughly between uses with dry cleaning products and all balls should be cleaned with disinfectant. This is the responsibility of the bowling machine operator
Additional Advice for Coaches
These measures cannot cover every eventuality and coaches must conduct a risk assessment, ensuring appropriate measures are put in place to keep participants and coaches safe
Playing and coaching cricket in itself carries some degree of risk and whilst being mindful of the guidelines regarding COVID-19, coaches should not lose sight of the normal safety rules or safeguarding standards relating to playing and coaching cricket which continue to apply and must be complied with (DBS, safeguarding, First Aid etc)
Coaches should make themselves aware of and abide by, all guidelines set out by the UK Government, the venue and ECB regarding use of facilities.
It is the coach's responsibility to ensure that they coach players in a safe environment and follow relevant guidelines
Coach should explain the safety guidelines of what is expected pre, during and post session including what the player is expected to do to maintain compliance with social distancing guidelines and all other health and safety guidelines.
All participants (players, coaches, officials, volunteers and spectators) should check for symptoms of COVID-19. In line with current UK Government Guidance, if an individual is symptomatic and/or living in a household with a possible COVID-19 infection they should remain at home and follow UK Government guidance.
In addition, any participants who have been asked to isolate by NHS Test and Trace because they are a contact of a known COVID-19 case, must not exercise outside their home or garden and must not exercise with others.
Participants should follow UK Government guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 (found here) if it applies to them.
Participants should comply with all public health restrictions and avoid high risk behaviour outside the sports setting to reduce the risk to their fellow participants when they do attend a cricket club or venue
Personal hygiene measures should be carried out at home before and after cricket activity.
Players to be reminded of the above as part of contact regarding selection. Other participants to be advised via club newsletter and social media.
Participants should bring their own hand sanitiser where possible and maintain strict and frequent hand hygiene measures at all times
Participants should follow UK Government guidance on best practice for travel, including minimising the use of public transport and limiting car sharing
Use of the clubhouse, changing rooms and toilets should adhere to the latest UK Government guidance
Club documentation on this shared via club newsletter and social media.
Club representatives should ensure that the facility is compliant with current UKGovernment legislation including legislation and guidance related to COVID-19. A risk assessment should have been completed and risk mitigation measures put in place and monitored in accordance with the ECB’s guidance on Getting your Clubhouse and Ground Ready for Step 4.
Club documentation on this shared via club newsletter and social media.
Club representatives should make all participants aware of expected social distancing and hygiene measures during play and whilst on site
Clubs should strictly limit the time spent congregating at a venue before activity begins. Meet-up times should reflect this.
Captains to pick meet up times appropriate to their team, taking into account any warm up or ground preparation tasks.
Participants should arrive changed and ready to begin the warm-up, if possible.
Club representatives should make all participants aware of the increase in transmission risk associated with partaking in even socially distanced group activity and should ensure that all participants are clear that they are opting to participate in cricket activity
Captains to advise during selection communication and at matches
During all cricket activity
Cricket activity must take place outdoors only.
11-a-side cricket can return as long as groups are limited to a maximum of 30 participants, including coaches and officials. Participants should enter the site and prepare their personal equipment whilst maintaining social distancing
Captains to direct players towards appropriate parts of the site to conduct their preparation, making full use of the outfield and surrounds to ensure social distancing
Where possible players should limit sharing of equipment. If they do, they must practise strict hand hygiene before and after use and the equipment must be cleaned before use by another person. More information is available here.
No sweat or saliva is to be applied to the ball at any time
All participants should sanitise their hands prior to the start of the activity
Hand sanitiser should be used at all breaks in activity and prior to consuming any food or drink
Players should refrain from spitting or rinsing out their mouths.
In line with current UK Government guidance, clubs should not prepare food for participants.
Individuals should bring their own food and drink for ‘teas’ or practice. Water bottles or other refreshment containers should not be shared.
All of the above to be verbally shared with players before taking the field
Players should adhere to UK Government social distancing guidance at all times(including throughout warm-ups) except in the following limited circumstances during competitive play in England only, where 1m+ is permitted: 1) wicket keepers standing up to the stumps and 2) distance between slip fielders
No sweat or saliva to be applied to the ball at any time.
A ‘hygiene break’ should take place every six overs or every 20 minutes, whichever is sooner, in which the ball is cleaned with an anti-bacterial wipe (conforming to BS EN 14476) and all participants’ hands are cleaned using a suitable sanitiser.
This routine should also be followed at the start of any drinks break or the close of an innings.
Wipes will be available along with essential match equipment in each pavilion
The responsibility for sanitising the ball during the match will lie with the fielding captain, not the umpire.
Batters to sanitise their bat when leaving the field of play and Wicket Keepers should sanitise their gloves.
Bowlers should not hand any personal items to the umpire.
Bowlers should place these items at the boundary themselves
Batters are to run in distinct running lines to ensure they are not within 2m of the bowler or other batter. Lines to be marked on the square on either side of the wicket.
Groundsman to arrange these lines
If two scorers are required, social distancing must be maintained with only one official inside the scorers’ box and no players to be allowed in the scorers’ box.
The scorers’ box should be well ventilated.
Communal scorebooks passed from one player to another should be avoided
Social distancing must always be maintained including during post-wicket celebrations, drinks breaks and tactical discussions.
Minimise sharing of the ball in a match by limiting contact as the ball makes its way back to the bowler e.g. ball goes straight from wicketkeeper to bowler instead of around surrounding fielders
Spectators should remain socially distanced at all times and refrain from all contact with the ball e.g. returning it to the field of play.
Spectator groups must be restricted to discrete six person gathering limits and spread out, inline with wider UK Government guidance.
Umpires should refrain from any contact with the ball, it can be returned to the base of the stumps at breaks and wickets
Umpires should be responsible for the stumps closest to them and should be the only person replacing the bails if dislodged.
In the event of rain, participants should return to their own vehicle to maintain social distancing if there is insufficient outdoor cover from the rain to maintain social distancing.
Application of covers in the event of wet weather should be done whilst maintaining social distancing.
Captains to remind players of these guidelines before the game and, where appropriate, during breaks in play or when any are in danger of not being followed.
After all cricket activity
All participants should sanitise their hands after the completion of activity
Participants should exit whilst maintaining social distancing
Social gathering after the activity will be allowed in line with current UK Government guidelines on hospitality and social distancing must be maintained
One club representative/volunteer should be responsible for collecting and disinfecting any shared equipment
Captain to do this or arrange delegation
Regular cleaning of equipment and the facility should take place, particularly between one group finishing, and the next group starting.
Any match equipment to be cleaned and placed back where it was stored before.
Clubs should encourage all participants to report any infection of their household to the NHS Test and Trace system following use of the facility to limit the spread of the virus https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works
Follow up message to be distributed via club twitter and also in captain’s subsequent communications
Clubs should make hand washing facilities and/or hand sanitiser available for all site users
Toilets are available for hand washing facilities and hand sanitiser will be present at each ground, alongside essential match equipment to avoid unnecessary access to the pavilions
Clubs must have entry and exit, and parking arrangements to venues that ensures social distancing can be maintained and implement traffic flow systems where possible and appropriate
Clubs must outline socially distanced areas for teams, officials, and spectators
Captains to direct teams and officials towards socially distanced areas for use outside of match play. Spectators to also be advised of social distancing requirement.
Clubs must ensure that all accessible provision within the site and the facility are available
Clubs and groundskeepers should mark running lines on the square in line with the popping crease at 2m intervals on either side of the wicket
Groundsman to include these in ground preparation
Clubs should support NHS Test and Trace efforts by keeping a temporary record of all participants in any cricket activity for 21 days and support NHS requests for data if needed.
Captains to forward a photo of scorecards to senior cricket chairman with additional notes to record any additional participants and their contact details.
Coaches/training leader to do an equivalent for training events.
For children, maximum groups sizes of 30 should include one qualified coach or All Stars Cricket Activator per group plus additional adult(s) required to meet cricket safeguarding ratios (1:8 aged 8 and under, 1:10 aged 9 and over).
All groups are to be self-sufficient e.g. a coach cannot oversee two separate groups
Parents should drop off and collect participants via a protocol that maintains social distancing
Parents should remain socially distanced on the side-line
For younger age groups, plastic equipment should be used and should be disinfected at the end of each session
The ECB will provide recommended activities to minimise close contact between participants and minimise the sharing of equipment, whilst still creating a fun and creative learning environment
It is recommended that participants take part in solo activity, before moving to pairs activity that maintains social distancing and allows participants to operate in the same pair for the length of the session
Additional advice for training & other activity
Where participants cannot provide their own individual equipment, we recommend numbering cricket equipment such as balls, so that each participant has a specific numbered ball and/or cone and uses that for the entirety of the session to minimise sharing of equipment where possible.
If bowling machines are used, they should be cleaned thoroughly between uses with dry cleaning products and all balls should be cleaned with disinfectant. This is the responsibility of the bowling machine operator
Additional Advice for Coaches
These measures cannot cover every eventuality and coaches must conduct a risk assessment, ensuring appropriate measures are put in place to keep participants and coaches safe
Playing and coaching cricket in itself carries some degree of risk and whilst being mindful of the guidelines regarding COVID-19, coaches should not lose sight of the normal safety rules or safeguarding standards relating to playing and coaching cricket which continue to apply and must be complied with (DBS, safeguarding, First Aid etc)
Coaches should make themselves aware of and abide by, all guidelines set out by the UK Government, the venue and ECB regarding use of facilities.
It is the coach's responsibility to ensure that they coach players in a safe environment and follow relevant guidelines
Coach should explain the safety guidelines of what is expected pre, during and post session including what the player is expected to do to maintain compliance with social distancing guidelines and all other health and safety guidelines.