COVID-19, Community Cricket update

Cricket Australia and all of Australian cricket’s thoughts are with all of the communities around the nation who have been impacted by the global coronavirus pandemic. These will continue to be uncertain times, but our number one priority is to the cricket communities that we lead and serve.

Upon consultation with government and expert medical advice from Cricket Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. John Orchard, we’re writing to you with an update on how Australian cricket is responding to and preparing all levels of the game plus the wider community during this global health crisis. Previously we communicated with all key cricket stakeholders of our recommendation that all cricket activity be cancelled from March 17, 2020.

The position of Australian Cricket has not changed with our expectation that all organised community cricket matches, training and events be cancelled. However, we are now able to give some greater confidence to those with matches and events scheduled to be played during autumn and winter months.

Australian Cricket is recommending that all organised community matches, training, programs and events remain suspended until at least the May 31, 2020. To ensure that we give activity the greatest chance to recommence on this date, we will commit to reviewing and communicating our position no later than May 1, 2020. We feel it is important that Australian Cricket continues to take a leadership position on this issue to reduce risk and slow the spread of the virus. At the same time, we understand that our community wants to be playing cricket and can understand that some may be disappointed with this decision, but in line with the broader community effort to ‘flatten the curve’, it is the right thing to do.

From now until May 1, we will be working hard to develop a range of resources and measures for those coordinating and participating in community cricket matches, training, programs and events. This will allow cricket in Australia to recommence as early and as safely as possible.

Regards,
Belinda Clark
Executive General Manager Community Cricket
Cricket Australia