Cricket handed a boost by government’s Level 3 relaxation

Cricket South Africa (CSA) interim chief executive, Dr Jacques Faul has welcomed government’s unbanning of non-contact sports under Level 3 lockdown, labelling the move “massive” for the game.

There has been no top-level action both locally and internationally since March, with South Africa’s domestic season cut short by the global pandemic.

Cricket gets the green light

However, on Thursday, government gave the green light for athletes involved in non-contact sport to resume training.

This was announced by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as she outlined the social-distancing regulations that will come into effect from Monday.

Faul said returning to training was a big step forward.

“Look, we just thankful that now, they can get to a stadium and train,” he is quoted by IOL. That is important, even if its in small groups. We are thankful for this first step.”

Dr Jacques Faul

Big boost for the Proteas

Both South Africa’s men and women’s senior national teams have been affected by widespread tour cancellations that have put the cricket calendar on hold.

The Proteas Women were due to host Australia in a series scheduled for late March, which did not go ahead due to the pandemic.

The men, on the other hand, had to return from their tour of India, after the first – rain-affected – match was called off without a ball being bowled.

They were also set to take on Sri Lanka in June, but that too was cancelled due to the travel bans implemented by most governments.

Proteas Men’s next scheduled tour will see them head to the Caribbean – if it does go ahead – where they are set to play two Test matches and five Twenty20 Internationals.

CSA are also in talks with the Board of Control for Cricket in India for a possible visit by the 2007 World T20 champions to South Africa.

Earlier in the month, CSA revealed that its players would need to prepare for a period of six weeks before they are deemed ready to return to action, while a touring team will have to be quarantined for 14 days before taking to the field.

Dr Shuaib Manjra – CSA chief medical officer – said matches would be hosted in a sanitised cricket biosphere, with strict entry standards when action resumes.

“It requires regular testing and we will create a cordoned sanitaire, where people wouldn’t be allowed to leave or come in unless strict criteria are met.”

Dr Shuaib Manjra