Head of National Cricket Academy (NCA) Bangalore, Rahul Dravid, tagged the resumption of cricket under a bio-secure environment, planned by England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) as ‘unrealistic’.
Also, the former legendary cricketer believed that the model proposed by ECB would be difficult to replicate by the other boards.
According to the ECB plans of hosting the three-match Test series against West Indies, the Caribbean players would have to travel one month in advance to complete their quarantine period.
The bio-secure environment proposed by ECB shall see English players away from their family members for an extended period of time. Reportedly, the period may go up to nine weeks.
Dravid provided his verdict during a recent webinar conducted by YUVA, which is a non-profit organization for the underprivileged section of sportspersons in India.
“It is a bit unrealistic to have things at the level the ECB is talking about. Obviously, the ECB is very keen to conduct these series because they have had no other cricket and it is right in the middle of the season,” Dravid was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
“Even if they are potentially able to create a bubble and manage it in that way. I think it will be impossible for everyone to do it with the kind of calendar that we have, with the travelling that you do on tours and the number of people involved,” the former India U19 coach added.
Further, Dravid pointed out a loophole in the bio-bubble intended by ECB to create. The Karnataka stalwart questioned the protocol when one of the cricketers in the bio-secure environment is tested positive during the Test matches.
“All of us are hoping that things will evolve with time and get better once we have better medication. In case of the bio-bubble, you do all the testing, the quarantine and then on day two of the Test match, what if one player tests positive? What happens then? The rules, as they stand now, will see the Public Health Department coming in and putting everyone in quarantine,” concluded Dravid.
