Coronavirus has kept everyone in toes with its deadly effects. While many have died so far across the globe, players have been taking extra caution in their tours as well. Recently, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) is sensitising its contracted players, including the six who will play in the Indian Premier League (IPL), about preventive measures to deal with the deadly outbreak. In India, 29 positive cases have been reported till now which included 16 Italian tourists. Across the globe, the virus has killed more than 3,000 lives apart from infecting more than 90,000 people.
“All New Zealand players, men and women, are being updated on latest developments, including best practice and preventive measures, as new information comes to hand,” NZC Head of Public Affairs Richard Boock said in a statement to PTI.
The six New Zealand players, who will take part in the IPL are Jimmy Neesham (KXIP), Lockie Ferguson (Kolkata Knight Riders), Mitchell McClenaghan and Trent Boult (both Mumbai Indians), Kane Williamson (Sunrisers Hyderabad) and Mitchell Santner (Chennai Super Kings). However, Boock also said that the cricket board is in constant touch with the country’s health, foreign affairs and sports ministry to check on the regular updates which will make sure their health safety for their players.
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“NZC is in constant communication with its chief medical officer, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Ministry of Health, and Sport NZ, and is monitoring updates from the World Health Organisation to ensure compliance with best practice,” Boock stated.
The BCCI is, however, hasn’t decided anything for travel advisory for their foreign as well as national players during IPL, since fans would love to interact with them through selfie and autograph which might cause a problem. However, it is expected that players might be advised to maintain distant from public gatherings to be safe from any circumstances. The England team, currently touring Sri Lanka, has also been asked to avoid handshakes and restrict pleasantries to fist-bumps as well.
