‘Players will be scared before the matches’, says Gavaskar on cricket’s resumption amid COVID-19

International cricket is set to return in July with England-West Indies Test series.

By Salman Anjum - 13 Jun, 2020

All forms of domestic and international cricket have been on hiatus since March due to the Coronavirus pandemic across the globe.

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While the game is set to be resumed with the England-West Indies Test series from July 8, Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar reckons there will be a degree of fear in the minds of players even while playing in bio-secure environments.

Speaking at Salaam Cricket 2020, Gavaskar said: "All players will be scared before the matches but if they are tested well before they will be relieved. If there is trust between everybody it will be helpful but if bowlers and fielders start playing with masks on then I won't be able to watch the game. But everybody will be a bit scared whenever the game resumes."

Gavaskar, who has more than 10,000 Test runs to his name, also said the upcoming series between England and West Indies will be important as the entire world will be watching and understanding how cricket is going to be played in the times of COVID-19 crisis.

The first Test will be played from at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton followed by the next two games at the Old Trafford ground in Manchester from 16-20 and 24-28 July respectively. Both venues have on-site hotels.

"It's going to be tough because we don't know the effects of this virus and how exactly it spreads. We are taking all precautions but it is still spreading. I feel it will be tough to play cricket till at least October. The ENG vs WI series will be interesting to watch and it will show whether we will be able to play cricket or not," Gavaskar stated.

It is pertinent to mention here that the 25-member West Indies squad led by Jason Holder have already arrived in the UK on June 9. They are currently serving the 14-day quarantine period in Manchester.

(Inputs from India Today)

 

By Salman Anjum - 13 Jun, 2020

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