Updated Covid Guidelines for 2022 season

22 Apr 2022   |   By Steve Watkins

On 1 April, the Government’s guidance on COVID-19 measures for grassroots sport participants and providers was lifted. To align with this policy change, ECB has also removed any cricket specific guidance relating to COVID-19. As such, clubs and leagues will no longer be required to follow any protocols aside from the single piece of public health guidance issued by UK Health Security Agency.

This good news means we have the green light to return to business as usual for the 2022 season. However, we continue to encourage players and volunteers in the game to be responsible and considerate to others.

Click on the link to see the latest Covid Guidelines

HCB and the Marches League have adopted MCC’s new Law 41.3 - No saliva to help reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission

Law 41.3 – No saliva

When cricket resumed following the onset of Covid-19, playing conditions were written in most forms of the game stating that applying saliva to the ball was no longer permitted. MCC’s research found that this had little or no impact on the amount of swing the bowlers were getting. Players were using sweat to polish the ball, and this was equally effective.

The new Laws will not permit the use of saliva on the ball, which also removes any grey areas of fielders eating sugary sweets to alter their saliva to apply to the ball. Using saliva will be treated the same way as any other unfair methods of changing the condition of the ball.