Kumar Sangakkara weighs in on the ICC’s latest guidelines as cricket aims to make a comeback in COVID-19 times

Kumar Sangakkara, the president of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), recently opined on how important it is to create an atmosphere of safety in order for cricket to return. Since March, the major cricketing nations have halted the sport, some tournaments getting cancelled midway as well. The Indian Premier League (IPL) had to be postponed for an indefinite time period.

There’s also no confirmation on whether or not the T20 World Cup will take place. Sangakkara, who’s also a former Sri Lankan cricketer, said that apart from the respective governments, it’s also a responsibility of the citizens to follow the necessary guidelines in the global pandemic situation.

Health is paramount, especially for players: Kumar Sangakkara

“It’s got to be a partnership because when you are under contract, your employer is responsible for creating a safe environment and insisting that the environment that they come to work in is very safe. Players also have the responsibility in turn to understand what the government guidelines are,” Sangakkara told on Star Sports’ show Cricket Connected.

“It’s not just about you and I, it’s also about how we spread it to other people. I understand the guidelines are going to restrict players, playing of the game, it’s going to look really weird, and off-putting even for me when I think about it,” he stated.

That the coronavirus has been contagious, holding matches in a packed stadium is a risky business. A number of cricketers, both former and current, have called for the games to take place behind closed doors. Sangakkara said that there won’t be any compromises on players’ health.

“Health is paramount, especially for players to have the confidence to get back to cricket, to have grounds may be at some point open to spectators. If that environment of safety isn’t there, then the doubts keep coming back. We have to understand that these new rules are to make it as safe as possible, though it seems very detailed and extensive,” Sangakkara added.

A few days ago, Cricket Australia (CA) put forth their schedule for the next summer, starting in August until February 2021. The itinerary also consists of the T20 World Cup, scheduled to be played from the mid of October for around a month.

India are scheduled to tour Australia for a four-match Test series as well, starting December 3. But Kevin Roberts, the CA CEO, said that the schedules are subject to change depending on the situation around that time.’