BCCI updates protocol, Eng-Aus players to be available from first IPL match: Rajasthan Royals COO

Rajasthan Royals Chief Operating Officer (COO) Jake Lush McCrum on Saturday confirmed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has updated the protocols for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL). The players from England and Australia will be available from the first match of the tournament.

England and Australia are all set to gear up for three T20Is and three ODIs series which begins from September 4th in Southampton. The concerted series will end on September 16 as BCCI had mandated the seven day quarantine period for players after arriving in the UAE.

Meanwhile, the Rajasthan Royals’ COO confirmed that BCCI has decided to revise its protocols considering the quarantine standards.

“The BCCI protocols have actually been updated in the last few days and I’m pleased to say our English and Australian stars playing in the series pre IPL should be available for our first IPL match. Either way, we have a quality squad with the depth to manage any situation,” McCrum told ANI.

“The English and Australian players will be competing against each other in a high-quality series right before the IPL which has many positives, the most important being it will enable them to be at full match fitness. I’m sure they will hit the ground running in the UAE for the IPL,” he added.

McCrum also talked about ‘the process’ which will uphold if a player ends up testing positive for COVID-19 during the tournament.

Furthermore, he spoke about the COVID Task Force that has been set up by the franchise.

“Suspected or positive cases will immediately be isolated from the team and the case will be managed by the team doctor in accordance with the IPL medical team. Contract tracing will begin immediately. The BCCI has put together a list of accredited hospitals that will be fully equipped to handle all such cases. All cases will, however, be treated as per set guidelines and protocols of the UAE government,” McCrum said.

Players will undergo RT-PCR tests on Day 1, 3, and 6 of the quarantine period.

“We have set up our own COVID-19 taskforce, which will act as a response team for all queries and any action to be taken during the tournament. This team is being led by Anuja Dalvi, the Indian female physio who has international experience in cricket and other sports, supported by team physiotherapist John Gloster and team doctor, Rob Young. They will be responsible for regular monitoring and medical assessment to ensure the safety of the entire team staying in the UAE,” McCrum added.

Royals have the most number of England and Australia players in their squad, with Steve Smith leading the franchise.

The upcoming IPL will be played from September 19th to November 10th in the UAE. For the first time in IPL history, the final match is planned to be played on a weekday.