BCEW have slightly updated their Return To VI Cricket Rules for 2021 as the government’s lockdown easing roadmap reaches step 4.
These rules are likely to stay in place for the rest of the 2021 season.
Return To VI Cricket Rules 2021
July 19th Update
General Principles
These rules apply in all competitive blind cricket matches, all organised club training sessions & we strongly recommend their use in any other club activity.
1. For Travel Guidelines see Appendix 1
2. For teas guidelines see appendix 2
3. For Changing Rooms & Facilities guidance see appendix 3
4. For General Club responsibilities see appendix 4
5. For self isolation guidance see appendix 5
6. Most rules on social distancing have now been removed, so guiding a player who needs it either during a match, during travel or at a venue is fully allowed.
7. Spectators may attend matches, the only remaining rule relating to this is that if they are attending with either team a record of who they are should be kept for 21 days in case it is needed by NHS Track & Trace.
8. During all matches a hygiene break must be held in conjunction with all drinks breaks. This can take place at gaps of up to 15 overs, however if a drinks break is held earlier then it should be the hygiene break & another will not be due until the next drinks break or until a further 15 overs have elapsed. During each break the ball must be thoroughly cleaned with an anti bacterial sanitiser. We advise using a sanitiser spray to do this & it will save time if a cleaned ball is placed on a cone at the boundary, so the game can continue whilst the previous ball is cleaned, it can then go onto the cone ready for the next break. All players must also clean their hands during each break using hand sanitizer. All of this must also take place at the start or finish of any innings. The fielding captain, or someone off the field who they designate, will be responsible for cleaning the ball, not the umpires.
9. Anyone involved in a match must not attend if they have any Covid symptems or if they have been told to self isolate. For further notes on this see appendix 5.
10. Clubs must have a record of all players, officials, coaches & spectators present at any match or training session. This record must be held for at least 21 days after the event in case NHS Track & Trace need the information. QR codes can also be used for this purpose.
11. Participants not adhering to COVID-19 rules, face punishment including but not limited to, player ejection and match cancellation.
Cricket Specific Rules
A. Most social distancing rules during matches have now been removed, however common sense should be used as the more close contact that takes place the more likely someone is to have to self isolate in the future. See appendix 5.
B. To protect the umpires, when running the runner on the same side of the pitch as the bowlers end umpire should run at least one metre wide of that umpire.
C. Social distancing should still be observed when celebrating wickets, during drinks breaks and when having tactical discussions.
D. Participants should under take personal hygiene measures at home before & after matches.
E. Players should arrive already changed into kit where this is possible/practical.
F. Players should bring their own water bottles & must not share these.
G. Participants should bring there own hand sanitizer to games where possible & should maintain strict & frequent hand hygiene measures at all times.
H. Hand sanitizer must be used before the match starts, at every hygiene break, before leaving the ground & before eating or drinking.
I. Players should refrane from spitting.
J. Club representatives should ensure all participants are aware of the remaining expected social distancing & hygiene requirements.
K. Club representatives should ensure that all players are aware that they are increasing the risk to themselves of infection by participating & that participation must be strictly optional without pressure placed on anyone to take part.
L. Wrist bands & shades may not be shared.
M. If it is strictly necessary for a helmet to be shared it should be thoroughly cleaned between users.
N. If a bat needs to be shared it should also be sanitised between users.
O. Bowlers may now hand any personal items or items of their own equipment to the umpires, but only at the umpires discretion. If the umpires are not comfortable taking these items then they must be left at the boundary, 12th men are now allowed to collect & return these if necessary. The exception to this rule is Total or low partial bowlers, those players may place their helmets etc behind the bowlers end stumps for the duration of the over that they are bowling. If the ball strikes these items then no penalty runs will be applied & if these items are struck whilst a run out is being attempted it will be down to the umpires judgement as to whether the ball would have hit the stumps.
P. The Umpires may now handle the ball, but again this is at their own discretion.
Q. During any practice or training sessions stumps, balls, etc must be disinfected between groups of players using them.
R. Pre & Post Match Handshakes should not take place, hand contact of any kind should be minimised during all matches.
S. In Regional Level matches umpires & scorers should not be paid cash on the day of the match. BCEW will pay these officials & will invoice the relevant clubs at the end of the season.
Appendix 1
Travel
By Minibus
There are now no restrictions on minibus travel.
However, cautionary measures are advised. That is to say, all passengers and driver should wear masks except those who are exempt, and the windows should be opened slightly to ensure good ventilation.
By Car
There are now no restrictions on car travel.
However, cautionary measures are advised. That is to say, all passengers and driver should wear masks except those who are exempt, and the windows should be opened slightly to ensure good ventilation.
By Train
A lot of train operators are still requiring the wearing of face masks for anyone not exempt. Some companies are still insisting that seats are booked prior to travel & on some lines services have not yet returned to pre pandemic levels.
Important Notes regarding car or minibus travel:
The caveat to this is that if players feel uncomfortable doing this, then their wishes should be respected and not made to feel that they must share. These methods of travel also increase the risk of being required to self isolate, see appendix 5.
Train travel note: On those services where face masks are mandatory, if someone is exempt from wearing a face mask for other health reasons then that exemption would apply. It would be wise to have their exemption card or certificate available in case this is questioned at any point.
Appendix 2
Teas
Teas can now be served without limits. There are a couple of provisos, firstly this is providing that the home team feel able to do this safely. Secondly this must be pre plated, still no buffets.
Please continue to communicate with each other so that away teams and all match officials know the situation for each match.
Appendix 3
Changing & Other Facilities
Changing Rooms
Changing rooms can be used where host clubs are ready to make these available safely. However, given that the definition of close contact is not changing, participants may wish to consider this and minimise use of changing facilities where possible to avoid prolonged contact with people in a crowded space. Where time allows if changing rooms are available they should be used in groups of no more than preferably 4 or if time is an issue 6.
Showers
Showers are also now permitted if the host club feel that they can safely provide this facility.
Again on changing rooms & showers communication is essential.
Other Facilities
All grounds must make toilet & hand washing facilities available.
Appendix 4
General Club Responsibilities
Clubs should inform participants of all actions and precautions they are taking in relation to COVID-19.
Each club must ensure that it continues to follow the relevant guidance made available. Furthermore, clubs may wish to remind players that their participation is optional and recommend that they make their own decision about whether they are happy to play based upon the information provided by the club and the precautions it is taking.
As for vaccines, clubs should tread carefully – there is currently no requirement for participants in sports to be vaccinated and clubs should not be solely allowing those who have been vaccinated to play. Doing so may amount to a form of discrimination, as younger players for example may not have yet been offered the vaccination, and certain participants may not wish to receive the vaccine on the grounds of their religious beliefs.
Appendix 5
Self Isolation Rules
If a participant tests positive on a team there is not a need for the other players or officials to self-isolate, unless they were in close contact, have been contacted by test and trace, they develop symptoms or test positive themselves. Therefore, players, officials and clubs should consider how they can reduce the likelihood of close contact occurring.
NHS Test and Trace and the self-isolation of close contacts remains in place at Step 4 and will affect participant availability. Examples of close contact include:
• face-to-face contact under 1 metre for any length of time – including talking to someone or being coughed on
• being within 1 metre of each other for 1 minute or longer
• being within 2 metres of each other for more than 15 minutes in total in 1 day
• travelling in the same vehicle
From the 16th August, those who have been fully vaccinated for at least two weeks, and under 18s, will not have to self-isolate, unless they test positive for COVID or develop symptoms, in which case they must isolate. There must also be a two-week gap between your second vaccination and this exemption coming into effect. If you are over 18 and not fully vaccinated, you will still need to isolate if you come into close contact with someone with COVID.
You must always follow self-isolation instructions from NHS Test and Trace.
Rapid lateral flow tests help to find cases in people who may have no symptoms but are still infectious and can give the virus to others. These are currently distributed free by the Government, and you can order packs to be sent to a home address, for use with your club.