On the international stage, cricket made a grand return when West Indies toured England. To date, international cricket has returned only in England during this COVID-19 pandemic.
The Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will see the return of cricket in the Caribbean, and the Indian Premier League is set to follow as cricket continues to return.
Despite all these returns, competitive cricket in Guyana has not returned, since the COVID-19 cases are increasing rapidly. Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) President Hilbert Foster and his team have been putting in the work behind the scenes. Since the COVID-19, the BCB has taken only one month’s rest, between March-April. However, cricket off the field is been playing, with the BCB distributing hampers, cricket gear and other items, while providing support to individuals across the Ancient County.
BCB President Hilbert Foster
Foster noted that he is unaware when cricket will return in Guyana, but his BCB members are laying the groundwork, when Government gives the go-ahead, to resume cricket.
“Cricket will never be the same again. Shake hands and hugging will have to be something from the past, even rubbing saliva on the cricket ball will no longer exist. Cricketers will have to walk with their own water from their homes. Life will never be the same again, until there is a cure,” Foster posited.
The BCB boss also indicated that once cricket resumes, it will be a long struggle to adapt to the new normal.
“When I took over as President, cricket in Berbice was dead. We brought it back alive, and unfortunately, it has been gone dead again due to COVID-19, and it will take a tremendous effort…”
While sponsorship was relatively easy to get in the past, Foster disclosed, getting same now will be a big struggle. Instead of the BCB running 30 tournaments per year, they will be forced to play 12-15 tournaments per year. Whether this will be done this year, Foster is uncertain. (Brandon Corlette)
