The England and Wales Cricket Board has approved an increase in overseas players in domestic cricket from next year and will now allow two per side in four-day and 50-over cricket. Teams are currently allowed to field only one imported player, though foreign-born players with British passports and those on Kolpak registrations have not counted towards the allocation. The move was recommended by the performance cricket committee, chaired by Sir Andrew Strauss. “This represents an increase from the one unqualified cricketer that First-Class Counties are currently permitted to field in those two competitions. Recreational cricket remains off limits (Simon Cooper/PA)“The ECB believes that cricket is a non-contact sport, with very low risks of exposure, and that it can be played as safely as many other activities being currently permitted,” it said in a statement.

Source: Express July 03, 2020 13:07 UTC