The cricket authorities in England are hoping that ICC would allow coronavirus replacements when the West Indies and Pakistan travel the country for upcoming Test series.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is in talks with the world governing body (ICC) over changes to the playing conditions, according to a BBC report.
“There are still some considerations from an ICC perspective about a Covid-19 replacement. That still needs to be agreed. I would hope that would be in place well before the Test series starts in July,” ECB director of events Steve Elworthy said.
The change would apply to Test cricket but not ODIs and T20Is.
As of now, a player can be replaced in a match if he is suffering from a concussion. For all other injuries and illnesses, a substitute fielder may be permitted, but that player cannot bat or bowl.
The ICC has banned the use of saliva to shine the ball amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“From a planning point of view, we have got everything in place. We’re ready for it, but clearly we don’t want to stray outside of Govt guidelines & Govt decision-making,” said Elworthy.
