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Skippers diplomatic about Cup rules as COVID peak nears

Meg Lanning and Heather Knight address the prospect of fielding just nine players in their team at the ODI World Cup amid rising COVID-19 case numbers in New Zealand

Australia captain Meg Lanning has labelled the ICC's emergency World Cup rules "interesting" but stopped short of criticising the governing body as the tournament nears.

As host nation New Zealand grapples with its worst COVID-19 outbreak of the pandemic, organisers have scrambled to put in place rules that will allow the tournament to continue should players get infections.

The most eye-catching is a regulation that teams can take to the field with just nine players and utilise up to two female staff in fielding roles to ensure matches get played.

"I've asked our physio and media manager what their preferred fielding position was if they were to take the field," Lanning said, only half-joking.

"Hopefully it doesn't come to that for any team. It's an interesting way to go about it.

"If that did occur I think it'd be a pretty interesting situation. Hopefully for everyone in the tournament we don't get to that point."

The extraordinary rule was not in place for the men's T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates last year, but New Zealand's border closure and seven-day quarantine on arrival means flying in additional players mid-tournament would be extremely difficult.

"I have no idea, to be honest," Lanning said when asked if she thought the same rule would have been implemented in a men's tournament.

"It's a unique situation that we're in over here in New Zealand, every World Cup is being played under different conditions."

If Australia – who have a squad of 15 plus two travelling reserve players at their disposal – were to be heavily hit by COVID-19 restrictions, they have legendary allrounder-turned-assistant coach Shelley Nitschke at their disposal, while media manager Lucy Williams has played at state level for South Australia.

England skipper Heather Knight said the regulation had also prompted some laughs within their camp, but added she sincerely hoped it would not become necessary. Their coach, former Australia batter Lisa Keightley, is their best qualified staff member to take the field if needed.

"It's if something goes badly wrong with COVID," Knight said. "It's not an ideal situation ... hopefully it never happens.

"But you never know and people are obviously desperate to get the tournament on. It's unlikely it's going to be a COVID-free World Cup, although that's the hope."

New Zealand reported a record 12,011 community COVID-19 cases on Friday, double the previous day's count, ahead of an expected outbreak peak during the event.

The government and ICC have issued strict biosecurity rules in an attempt to shield players from catching the virus, similar to those in place during the recent Ashes in Australia.

Teams will be chartered around the country during the event and regular PCR testing is taking place – not only for the participants, but also any staff or media who come into contact with players.

However, players and team staff are permitted to dine outdoors and partake in activities such as golf with other members of their team bubble.

Harsher restrictions are understood to have originally been on the cards, which would have prevented players from even purchasing takeaway coffee.

Knight described the current restrictions as a "brilliant outcome" that balances safety and player well-being.

"We've got to a place where the restrictions we're living under are completely manageable, with a little help from FICA (Federation of International Cricketers' Associations), the PCA (Professional Cricketers' Association) and various other boards," she said.

"(It was about) making sure player welfare is at the forefront of what's going on and making sure there's a middle ground between trying to get the tournament on and keeping COVID out, but looking after players who have often spent a lot of time in bubbles."

While New Zealand's cases have skyrocketed in the last month, their rules for close contacts have eased significantly; as recently as two weeks ago, visiting a cafe, even outdoors, at the wrong time could have seen players deemed close contacts and placed into isolation for 10 days.

But overnight the country moved to 'phase three' of its Omicron response, which concentrates on household contacts, and no longer requires other close contacts to isolate –reducing the likelihood of an entire team, or the majority of a team, being forced into quarantine at once.

Asked whether the tournament should have been moved from New Zealand, Lanning said she "hadn't thought about that at all", offering her sympathy to the hosts.

The ICC have confirmed they will look to re-schedule games in the event of COVID-19 outbreaks severely affecting squads.

"It would be a nightmare trying to organise these tournaments," Lanning said.

"We want to get cricket in. That's the most important thing.

"Teams are going to have to be very flexible and understanding of things that are happening at really short notice.

"Hopefully if this or that does happen, you can have a bit of a conversation around things and discuss what the options are and I'm sure that the ICC will be making the best decision for the World Cup and making sure the games can continue on."

ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2022

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington. Travelling reserves: Heather Graham, Georgia Redmayne

Australia's World Cup 2022 fixtures

Mar 5: v England, Seddon Park, Hamilton, 12pm AEDT

Mar 8: v Pakistan, Bay Oval, Tauranga, 12pm AEDT

Mar 13: v New Zealand, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Mar 15: v West Indies, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Mar 19: v India, Eden Park, Auckland, 12pm AEDT

Mar 22: v South Africa, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Mar 25: v Bangladesh, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL WORLD CUP SCHEDULE

Semi-finals

Mar 30: Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Mar 31: Hagley Park Christchurch, 12pm AEDT

Final

Apr 3: Hagley Park Christchurch, 11am AEDT

All matches to be broadcast in Australia on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports