Allahudien Paleker
COVID19
Life in the Bubble
Due to the COVID Pandemic we find ourselves in the new norm to play cricket, that is life in a bio secure bubble to create a safe environment for players and match officials.
This was the first bubble that I was part of, so everything was new to me. We arrived in the bubble 9 days before the first official match. The reason for this was that we could umpire the intra- squad warm up matches between the teams. We had to enter the bubble with a negative COVID test.
The hotel room was very spacious and comfortable. We had separate dining areas from the teams as well as a games room and a boardroom for all our meetings and simulations. The match officials and hotel staff were accommodated on the ground floor. The visiting team on the first floor and the home team on the 2nd floor. There was no mixing between the groups.
On day 2 of being in the bubble, we were alerted that 1 of the home players tested positive for COVID and suddenly, all the rules changed. We could no longer use the gym and swimming pool. We could not dish from the buffets that were provided mealtimes but rather had to order from the waiters and they would bring your meal to you. The player concerned and 3 of his close contacts were moved to a separate wing of the hotel to isolate. The home team cancelled all the warmup matches to prevent further infection.
We had to undergo another COVID test to be on the safe side. The first leg of the tour comprised of 3 T20I’s and the 2nd leg 3 ODI’s. The 3 T20I’s were played within 5 days. We had the mandatory COVID tests done the day before the 1st ODI. I was reserve umpire for the 1st ODI. On match day I left early for the ground with the TV umpire. I performed my normal duties as a reserve umpire. These duties were a lot easier as COVID protocols were quite strict as nobody outside of the bio secure bubble were allowed on the field of play while players and match officials were out there. So, I stood out in the middle all by myself. About 60 minutes before the scheduled start of play, the TV umpire asked me if I had seen any players or personnel in the change rooms which I replied to No. We immediately knew something was not right as this was not the norm. It was very late already and neither the players nor the match officials were at the stadium. A couple of minutes later I was instructed to leave the field immediately and go back to the change room and bring everything I had with me. We did not know what was happening as our mobile phones were handed in once we entered the PMOA. About 15 minutes later we learnt that 1 of the players tested positive for COVID and the match was postponed. We packed up and returned to the hotel.
The original schedule for the ODI’s were Friday, Sunday, and Wednesday. The new schedule was Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. All the players underwent another round of COVID testing. At 17h30 on Saturday we were informed that we needed to do another COVID test at 18h30. Nobody gave us a reason as to why we had to test again as our last test was on Thursday and we were all in the clear. We were not in contact with any of the players since Thursday. I knew something was
brewing as where there’s smoke, there’s fire. I returned to my room later that evening with a lot of thoughts running through my mind. I was on-field on Sunday. I prepared as I would usually do for a match. The TV umpire and reserve umpire left 30 minutes before we were scheduled to leave. The venue was a 45-minute drive from the hotel. My on-field partner and I met in reception as agreed a couple of minutes before we were supposed to leave for the venue. A few minutes before our scheduled departure we were informed that there was a delay in our departure. At this point we still had no idea at what was transpiring. After sitting in reception for about 20 minutes we got a message from the TV umpire that they have arrived at the venue and wanted to know if we had left yet which I replied not yet. He said we should keep them updated. We knew something was wrong, but nobody communicated to us what the issue was or what the plan of action was. After waiting in reception for about 45 minutes we were told togo to our rooms as there was a delay in the results of the testing from the previous day. The match which was supposed to be a day match (10h00 start) was now changed to a day night match with a 13h30 start. Communication as to our new departure time would be relayed to us. Off we went to our rooms. We kept the guys at the stadium informed of the developments at the hotel. A couple of minutes later, the TV umpire said that he just saw on the TV monitor that the match was abandoned. A few meetings were taking place behind closed doors. We later learnt that 2 of the hotel staff tested positive for COVID and were in contact with the players and match officials. So, the tests we did on Saturday was for this reason. Once again, all the match officials were in the clear. Later that evening we were told that Sunday’s match was abandoned, and the new schedule would be Tuesday and Wednesday with the series now comprising of 2 ODI’s. My only appointment in the ODI series was now abandoned. I was a bit disappointed as I was looking forward to the match. It is what is, and these things were beyond my control. I was reserve umpire and TV umpire for the next 2 ODI’s. I put that disappointment of the abandoned match behind me and wanted to make sure that I do my best for the PCT for the rest of the series.
Monday was now a rest day. At 14h30 there were rumours on social media that the entire series was now postponed. We received a message for an urgent meeting at 15h30. At the meeting we were informed that the series was officially called off. It was a very disappointing end to the tour as we spent 21 days in the bubble for only 3 T20I’s.
The bubble itself wasn’t too bad as the hotel was comfortable and we found ways to keep ourselves occupied. It was the first series that we used the auto no ball technology. We spent a lot of time on virtual simulations to get us up to speed with the new protocols, timer, and technology. Our ICC Umpire’s coach was not in the bubble with us. He was always available to see to our needs during our time in the bubble. We also supported each other as mentally it can be difficult for some of our colleagues especially the ones who are used to the outdoors.
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