Coronavirus: possible consequences for the national and international cricket schedule

Everyone in the Netherlands feels the consequences of the government measures taken in order to combat the Coronavirus, as do we in the sports community. We all contribute, in our own way, as much as we can to the containment and delaying of the spreading of this virus, so that we can shield the people in higher risk categories as good as possible.

This text was published on the NOC*NSF website, a message the KNCB strongly supports. For more information about the current situation in the Netherlands and across the world, the RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) provides daily updates.

At this moment all sporting activities – training sessions, matches, meetings and events – have been cancelled until at least 6 April due to the Coronavirus outbreak. There is a possibility that this measure is going to be extended.

Will this influence the coming cricket season? Highly likely. To what extent, we are not able to predict at this moment. We are currently discussing these matters with our partners, including the KNVB, the ICC and the associations of the countries that will visit us this summer, such as New Zealand and Pakistan. However, the situation changes on a daily basis and there is a high degree of uncertainty. In the background, the KNCB is working hard on various scenarios with regard to both the national leagues and the home international matches. In doing so, our decision making is based on the advice received from NOC*NSF and the RIVM.

The match schedules (except for zami/zomi and youth leagues) are ready in case the season can start in early May as planned, provided the grounds are available for cricket at that time. Should it prove necessary to shorten the season, the aim of the KNCB will be to provide as much cricket as possible for as many teams as possible. We are currently working on various scenarios. There is a real possibility that the 2020 season will look different than expected for all of us. The KNCB counts on everyone’s understanding, and is confident that the clubs will do their utmost to make it a good and successful season.

KNCB contact: Bart Kroesen

A number of clubs have shared their concerns regarding flying in (if and when permitted), and housing, overseas players and coaches. The KNCB acknowledges these concerns as it can have serious financial consequences in case no, or a shortened, league schedule can be played. It has therefore been decided to not have a promotion and relegation system for the 2020 season in any of the leagues. Clubs are free to decide to make use of contracted players without this having consequences for the 2021 season.

Many sports organisations are confronted with legal issues as a result of the government measures. The Sports Employers organisation is ready to answer employers’ questions from the clubs on 026 - 4834450 or by e-mail. Check the website for FAQ for employers. In addition to this, Sanne Koster, lawyer at Marxman Advocaten, will be available for answering questions from clubs regarding the financial consequences for sports clubs. Consider rental contracts and labour issues for sports associations or clubs employing professionals. Sanne Koster can be reached on 06 - 14443298.

KNCB contact: Jaap Wals

At this moment it is unclear whether the T20I against New Zealand, the Quad Series with Namibia, USA and Oman and the ODIs in the ICC Super League against Pakistan can go ahead as planned. We are closely monitoring the situation while maintaining ongoing contact with the ICC, the countries concerned and our coaches and players. For the Dutch women’s XI, a World Cup Qualification tournament in Sri Lanka is scheduled for July. At this moment we have no new information regarding this tournament. The ICC Super League matches in Zimbabwe (September) as well as the T20 World Cup (October/November) for the men’s team are further ahead, but might also be hit by the changes within the total international programme.

The KNCB General Meeting is planned to be held on 16 April, and will be able to take place in accordance with the current measures. If the period of social distancing is extended beyond 6 April, the General Meeting will have to be held at a later date. The club meetings for the East, South and Amsterdam regions have in the meantime been cancelled. The KNCB is looking at the possibility of holding these meetings at a later date or combining regional club meetings.

KNCB contact: Tom Heggelman

A number of courses, training sessions and meetings have not been held. We are looking at possibilities to make up for this at a later date. In addition, we are looking at the possibility of providing these courses online.

KNCB contact: Subir Shrestha

The NOC*NSF has produced a list (in Dutch) of frequently asked questions for its members (FAQ), divided into four categories: general questions, questions by sports clubs, by individual members and by sports associations. This list is updated daily on the basis of questions that have been asked, the answers to which will be formulated with the help of the sports associations.