"What if a player tests positive in between a series or match?" - Rahul Dravid asks for better resumption strategy

International cricket is on the verge of returning back to life with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) planning to host West Indies and Pakistan for a three-match Test series in July and August respectively. While ICC released guidelines in a bid to resume cricket, ECB is looking to create ‘bio-secure bubble’ for players to ensure safety and well-being amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Former Indian captain Rahul Dravid has questioned the planning by ECB as the batting legend feels it would be impossible to follow the proposed 'bio-secure bubble plans' due to the hectic calendar in the world of cricket. 

"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. 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," Dravid said during webinar conducted in support of NGO, YUVA.

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Dravid further questioned the fate of a Test series or a tournament if a player tests positive in between a match in the longest format of the game. Dravid said the current rules will see the Public Health Department intervening and putting everyone in quarantine as the stalwart said everyone will need to work out a proper plan so the whole Test match or a tournament don’t get cancelled. 

"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,” Dravid asserted.

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"So that ends the Test match or the series and that ends all the expenses that were made to get everyone there and create that environment. We're going to have to work with the Health Department and Government authorities to find out a way in which even if a player tests positive, the whole tournament isn't cancelled," Dravid who currently heads the National Cricket Academy pointed out.