ICC likely to incorporate pollution in its playing conditions

The Sri Lankan players were seen fielding while wearing anti-pollution masks during India’s batting, with most of their players complaining of breathlessness. Their pace bowlers Suranga Lakmal and Lahiru Gamage also threw up due to uneasiness.

The ICC has now decided to refer the matter to its medical committee, which has been provided the relevant reports as well as data of the prevailing air quality in Delhi.

“The ICC has noted the conditions in which the Delhi Test was played and has already requested that the issue be considered by the medical committee for guidance should the situation arise in future. The matter is likely to be discussed in February’s ICC meetings,” an ICC spokesperson told PTI today.

As a result, there could be a slight alteration in the clauses of the Playing Conditions, where the health hazard of players related to severe air pollution can be incorporated.

“In ICC’s ‘Playing Conditions’, there is a separate sub-clause for weather. Since this is the first instance in the game’s 140-year history that a Test match has been halted for 26 minutes due to air-pollution. The situation as we all know is very unique in nature,” a BCCI official said on condition of anonymity.

Since the Playing Conditions never had any specific mention of air-pollution, it is expected that permissible AQI (Air Quality Index) limit to play competitive cricket will be inserted.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA)’s president Dr KK Aggarwal in a letter to BCCI has also urged the cricket’s governing body to include a clause on atmospheric pollution. 

Dr Aggarwal on his part also provided data as to how it was a serious health issue for players that the match was not stopped. “The safe levels of atmospheric particulate matter, according to World Health Organisation air-quality guidelines, are 20g/cu mm (annual mean) for PM10 and 10g/cu mm (annual mean) for PM2.5,” he said.