Cricket Australia To Ban Ashes, Big Bash Players From Signing Autographs Due To Covid-19
Cricket Australia (CA) chief executive Nick Hockley has stated that the players will soon be disallowed from engaging with the fans in any fashion, including signing autographs and taking photos.
Covid cases in Victoria and New South Wales have shot up in recent times, with the latest numbers hitting over 1500 and 2000 cases respectively. Social distancing is the norm and the players will have no choice but to follow it under the circumstances.
“We’re always on high alert. I think it’s a wake-up call for everyone across the game. It’s a wake-up call for sport. It’s not unique to sport in Australia or around the globe. We’re seeing a fair bit of disruption. Everyone now needs to be extra vigilant because we’ve had a very high-profile case of disruption,” Hockley said on radio SEN.
“We need to make sure people are operating in a bio-secure way” – Cricket Australia
Because of the increasing cases, level-4 protocols will be implemented in Sydney and Melbourne for the third and fourth Ashes Test. The cricketers will not be allowed to eat outdoors or go to bars. Even shopping outside and visiting the salon will be prohibited.
“That’s the real shame because what we have seen is players wanting to interact with fans. That’s been a feature of the Big Bash. But we’ve now got very clear protocols. As it comes to those on the field of play we need to make sure that people are operating in a really biosecure way,” Hockley further added.
Pat Cummins recently had to undergo quarantine after he was found dining at a restaurant where a covid-infected person was present. He had to miss the Adelaide Test as a result and his availability for the next game is also unknown as of now.
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