In a webinar conducted in support of a non-profit organization, former Indian captain Rahul Dravid called the idea of creating a bio-secure environment to resume cricket as unrealistic.
The England Cricket Board had earlier suggested that it is considering options to host a test series against the West Indies and Pakistan. As per a report in the Guardian, if the plan is put to action, the England players would be asked to come together at the Ageas Bowl on the 23rd of June and will be required to stay away from the families for nine weeks until the end of the third test match against Pakistan that is scheduled to begin on the 20th of August.
Reacting to the idea of creating a bio-bubble environment, Dravid said,
“It is a bit unrealistic to have things at the level the ECB is talking about. Obviously, the ECB is very keen to conduct these series because they have had no other cricket and it is right in the middle of the season.”
The cricket board of South Africa has also suggested that the scheduled tour with India can be played under the bio-secure formula. Dravid continues,
“In the case of the bio-bubble, you do all the testing, the quarantine and then on day two of the Test match, what if one player tests positive? What happens then? The rules, as they stand now, will see the Public Health Department coming in and putting everyone in quarantine.”
Even if it succeeds, no other country will follow
Dravid also considers the option of the England Cricket Board succeeding. Even then, he says, not many countries will follow the same process. He said,
“Even if the ECB is potentially able to create a bubble and manage it in that way, I think it will be impossible for everyone to do it with the kind of calendar that we have, with the traveling that you do on tours and the number of people involved.”
According to Dravid, the best hope for cricket is to wait for more efficient antidotes for the COVID-19. The BCCI, on the other hand, has said it has no plans to opt for the bio-bubble method. The treasurer of BCCI, Arun Dhumal told the Indian Express,
“We will wait for the government guidelines. We won’t put our players in a health hazard.”
Source: The Indian Express
