• Friday, March 29, 2024

CRICKET

T20 WC: ICC takes step to address players’ bubble fatigue

Representational Image (Photo by INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP via Getty Images)

By: Shubham Ghosh

IN times of the Covid-19 pandemic, cricketers across the globe are being forced to undergo tough protocol measures for safety. But the strict rules have at times left an adverse impact on their mental well-being.

Keeping the challenge in view, the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday (7) said that cricketers facing mental health issues during the upcoming T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and Oman will have round-the-clock access to a psychologist.

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The preliminary rounds of the mega tournament, which will be held under a bio-secure environment, will kick off on October 17 when co-host Oman will take on Papua New Guinea and Bangladesh will play Scotland.

The tournament was originally supposed to be held in India but was shifted to the Gulf nations due to a surge in Covid-19 infections.

The players will have to go to isolation for six days on arrival, during which they will undergo three Covid-19 tests. They will enter the bubble after that.

“We should expect that some people will be affected, their mental health will be affected by being in confined conditions again, particularly perhaps for those who have done it for a long period of time,” Alex Marshall, the ICC’s head of integrity, told reporters, Reuters reported.

“The ICC will have available 24 hours a day, a psychologist to speak to any individual who seeks help,” he said, adding, “There’s a number of things we’re doing … But I think from a day-to-day basis, making sure we keep the environment friendly and pleasant for them.”

Cricket has mostly been played in restricted environments since its resumption after a lengthy disruption caused by Covid-19 and the players have struggled in adjusting to the restrictions that have taken a heavy toll on their mental health.

The cricket-governing body has given the nod to the players to take their close family during the World Cup, the final of which will be held in Dubai on November 14. But the family members would have to be part of the restricted environment as well.

The ICC official said there would be arrangements for outdoor recreation for the players.

“For example, it will be possible for them to play golf on a golf course where we have set aside the area for them and we can keep them separate from other people,” he said.

“So we maintain a managed environment, but we do allow people to do things other than sit in their hotel rooms,” he added.

While the ICC has arranged for a support system liaising with organisers of the Tokyo Olympics, Formula One and the European Championships besides setting up a bio-safety scientific advisory group featuring experts, Marshall cautioned the players to adhere to the rules, the Reuters report added.

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