ICC Women's World Cup 2022: Teams will be allowed to field 9 players if Covid strikes

As per the latest developments, matches at the upcoming ICC Women's World Cup 2022 in New Zealand can go ahead with nine players in a line-up to keep the tournament going amid COVID-19. Ever since the global pandemic came into the picture, many major series and tournaments have been postponed and canceled. Meanwhile, some tournaments had to pause midway with the quickly-spreading virus hitting the camps.

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In order to avoid the same, the playing conditions have been revised for the ICC Women's World Cup. However, the tournament gets underway on March 4. Now, teams will be allowed to field a reduced line-up in case of an outbreak in their squad. In such cases, members of the coaching and support staff can come in as substitute fielders. ICC's head of events Chris Tetley confirmed this on Thursday (February 24).

Members of support staff can come in as substitute fielders

"If it becomes necessary we would allow a team to field nine players as an exception for this environment. And if they had female substitutes from within their management team. We would allow two substitutes to play – non-batting, non-bowling – to enable a game to take place."

Chris Tetley said to ESPNcricinfo.

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All the teams participating in the competition have already allowed bringing three traveling reserves with them. However, the reserves can be switch in and out of the 15-member squad in case anyone contracts COVID. Meanwhile, Tetley further added that rescheduling of fixtures is in consideration in case the need arises. Although, there were "logistical constraints" around the tournament.

"We'll be asking teams to show maximum flexibility. We'll be as flexible as possible if the need arises to fulfill our objective, which is to get the games on," he said. New Zealand has been witnessing a steady rise in COVID-19 cases ever since the Omicron variant came into the picture.

The government has imposed restrictions on gatherings at sports evenings. Meanwhile, the tournament's CEO Andrea Nelson is optimistic about having small numbers of spectators for group-stage games.

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"Under the red traffic light setting, we can currently operate in pods of 100. We are taking it week-by-week as we work our way through. But in the first week, it is likely there will be some availability at matches. Unfortunately, at some venues we will have to cancel existing ticket holders," said Nelson.