Kumar Sangakkara thinks cricket played under strict guidelines laid down by the International Cricket Council (ICC) post COVID-19 pandemic will "look really weird and off-putting". 

The former Sri Lanka captain and current MCC president, however, understands why the governing body wants cricket to resume only with highest safety protocols followed. 

Read Also: Former cricketers find some ICC guidelines for cricket's resumption impractical 

The ICC recently came up with format-specific training and on-field play guidelines for cricket's bio-secure resumption in the near future. 

"I understand the guidelines are going to restrict players, playing of the game, it's going to look really weird, and off-putting even for me when I think about it," Sangakkara said on Star Sports' show 'Cricket Connected'.

"But the priority is health and safety. Health is absolutely paramount at this time, especially for players to have the confidence to get back to cricket, to get back to playing, to have grounds may be at some point open to spectators."

The guidelines include the appointment of a chief medical officer, who will ensure implementation of rules like 14-day pre-match isolation training camp and use of gloves to be worn by the umpires while handling the cricket ball. 

Loo or shower breaks will not be allowed during training, with players asked to minimise time spent inside the changing room. 

No usage of saliva on the ball and no handing over of personal items (cap, sunglasses, towels) to fellow teammates or the on-field umpires are among the other guidelines issued. 

Sangakkara said it will take a collective effort from everyone involved to get things back on track. 

"It's got to be a partnership because when you are under contract, your employer is responsible for creating a safe environment and educating the players and insisting that the environment that they come to work in is very safe."

"Players also have the responsibility in turn to understand what the government guidelines are. It's not just about you and I, it's also about how we spread it to other people – loved ones, the elderly in society – so you got to really be mindful of that."

"If that environment of safety and health is not there, then the doubts keep coming back, 'Should we start, should be go back to playing?' So, we have to be really careful there, and understand that all these new rules are to try and make it as safe as possible even though it seems very, very detailed and extensive," he concluded. 

(Inputs from PTI)