5 Controversies created due to breaking COVID-19 protocols

Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, brought the entire world to a standstill in March. Almost every country on earth enforced strict nationwide lockdowns to curtail the spread of this deadly virus. The United States, India, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and Russia have been worst-hit by this virus.

The sports world also came to a standstill as the fans could not enjoy live action for two-three months. Talking about cricket specifically, the sport resumed in some European and American regions first. Subsequently, England made history by hosting the first international cricket tour inside a bio-secure bubble.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) laid down a set of rules that the players inside the bubble had to follow. Apart from that, there were some significant rule changes to the on-field play also. But not every player could adjust to the new normal.

Here are the five controversies created because of breaking COVID-19 protocols:

Jofra Archer fined an undisclosed amount 

As mentioned above, the England and Wales Cricket Board was the first to host an international cricket series after the COVID-19 break. They invited West Indies for an ICC World Test Championship series. Fast bowler Jofra Archer was one of the members of the English squad.

However, the team management dropped him for the second match because he breached the bio-bubble rules. Instead of traveling directly to the venue of the second Test, Archer visited his home in Brighton. Thus, ECB fined him an for undisclosed amount.

Since Archer stepped outside the bio-bubble, he had to sit out of the second Test match. Still, the Barbados-born player learnt his lesson and did not break any rules going forward. He now holds the record for being one of the top cricketers to have spent the most days inside a bio-bubble.

Pakistan cricket team in New Zealand

After West Indies’ tour of England, Pakistan visited the United Kingdom for a cricket series. There were no controversies on that tour. Subsequently, the players competed in the Pakistan Super League playoffs and also a few other domestic cricket competitions at home.

All events happened without any major problems. However, when the Pakistan cricket team landed in New Zealand ahead of their series, troubles began for Babar Azam and co. New Zealand has earned praise from all experts for their exceptional fight against COVID-19.

Crowds have returned to the stadiums in New Zealand. But the Pakistani players contracted the coronavirus after landing in New Zealand. One by one, at least ten out Pakistan’s 54-member squad tested positive for COVID-19. Apparently, the players met each other and shared food despite the strict guidelines. Thus, they even received a warning that the local government would deport them.

West Indies cricket team in New Zealand

New Zealand did not host any international cricket matches for over eight months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. West Indies became the first team to visit the country for a cricket tour. The squad travelled in two parts. Some players were in the UAE playing in the IPL, while some were at home.

The players isolated themselves at a facility in Christchurch. The local officials allowed them to train. However, the West Indian team did not adhere to the rules. Thus, the New Zealand officials had to revoke their exemption to train. Luckily, there were no COVID-19 cases in the Caribbean camp.

While the West Indies did manage to stay under the strict restrictions, Pakistan’s players could not. Subsequently, the Men in Maroon cleared the COVID-19 tests as they played a T20I series and an ICC World Test Championship series versus the hosts. Unfortunately, they could not win a single game.

South Africa vs England series

Like New Zealand, South Africa did not host any other nation for a cricket series for around nine months. There was not much cricket in the country during the long break. Cricket South Africa had organized a unique 3TC Match featuring the nation’s top cricket stars.

Apart from that, there were a few domestic matches that happened in the rainbow nation before England visited them. A couple of South African players had contracted Coronavirus. So, they could not play the T20I series. Still, the 3-match series happened without any issues. However, the problems began ahead of the first ODI. As per reports, an unnamed South African squad member tested positive for COVID-19 before the first ODI.

After that, some hotel staff members returned positive, and two players from the touring party also returned with unconfirmed positive tests. The two English players later tested negative, but the ODI series was called off because of this controversy. Later claims were made CSA that England team flouted the rules while ECB defended the players.

KM Asif unintentionally broke IPL bio-bubble

The BCCI set an example for other tournaments with a fantastic organization of IPL 2020 in the United Arab Emirates. Although the tournament was not free from controversies, there were no positive cases during the competition. The Chennai Super Kings camp was mostly into COVID-19 problems.

Before the tournament began, a few of their squad members, including fast bowler Deepak Chahar and opening batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad, returned positive. Also, their star player Suresh Raina left for India due to some personal reasons. Another experienced player Harbhajan Singh pulled out because of personal reasons.

In the meantime, uncapped fast bowler KM Asif unintentionally broken the IPL bio-bubble as he had misplaced his room keys. By mistake, he stepped out of the bubble by going to the receptionist. According to the tournament’s rules, KM Asif had to quarantine for six days before joining the team again.