International cricket has finally tended towards resumption after the forced-break due to the Covid-19 pandemic as from next week, England will be hosting West Indies for a three-match Test series. The series will commence at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton from July 8. However, the sport isn’t going to be the same after resumption in the wake of the pandemic as England played a practice match with new rules.
A first glimpse of the new cricketing rules were witnessed during the opening day of the 3-day intra-squad practice match between Team Buttler and Team Stokes at the Ageas Bowl on Wednesday. The fiery English pacer, James Anderson got immediately back to the turf as he bowled the maximum number of overs for Team Stokes on Day 1 of the practice match. Anderson went on to scalp a couple of wickets while conceding at less than 3 runs per over.
ALSO READ: Windies Players Will Be Sporting ‘Black Lives Matter’ Logo On The Collars
Apart from Anderson’s bowling display, the way he celebrated wickets in the wake of the pandemic was quite intriguing. There were no hugs or high-fives as the England pacer made sure there was proper physical distancing when he celebrated his wickets with his teammates.
Cricket is back and @jimmy9 is taking wickets! 💪
Live Stream: https://t.co/hTUxHpQqJZ pic.twitter.com/u2hi62hYet
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 1, 2020
Anderson used elbow touches to celebrate the dismissals his teammates at the Ageas Bowl. He was also spotted using hand sanitizer in between overs during the practice match. Even the substitute player who helped by carrying drinks onto the field can be seen wearing gloves.
ALSO READ: Srinivasan Feels BCCI WIll Be Happy After Manohar’s Resignation
The England players can be seen practicing complete guidelines of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) for the safe return of the sport. According to the ICC guidelines, “celebrations with body contact” and sharing equipment, including towels, can be risky for the players and it will be discouraged.
It's different, but it's back ❤️🏏 pic.twitter.com/DKFQxRZRam
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 1, 2020
However, the biggest change is the ban on the usage of saliva to shine the cricket ball. The cricketing fraternity has already expressed concerned over the ban as it will be a huge setback.
Team Buttler finished Day 1 on 287 for 5 after uncapped Gloucestershire opener James Bracey managed to register a score of 85 along with some crucial contributions from Joe Denly and Dan Lawrence. Skipper Stokes scalped a wicket in his spell of 8 overs awhile Moeen Ali and Leach bowled 15 overs between them.
