Bizarre ICC Women’s World Cup rule could see backroom staff compete in matches

An unprecedented new ruling will allow for teams to field backroom staff members as substitute fielders during the Women’s World Cup if they are unable to play a full team of players from their actual squad. 

The tournament is due to start on March 4th and is being held in New Zealand, which has seen a surge in Omicron COVID cases of late. 

On Friday alone, the country reported a record 12,011 community cases, thus raising fears over the impact this will have on the upcoming tournament. 

Owing to this rise in cases, it was announced on Thursday that teams could fulfil World Cup fixtures even if they had as little as nine players, so as to try and minimise the possibility of some sides being forced to postpone or forfeit matches. 

Each of the eight teams in the competition has a squad of 15 players, with up to three travelling reserves. 

If countries do not have 11 players, they will still be permitted to play the match if they choose, so long as they can field at least nine. 

Bizarrely, any female backroom staff members are also allowed to feature as fielding substitutes if necessary. 

Speaking about the new guidelines for the tournament, England captain Heather Knight teased: “It’s created a few jokes among the female staff – we’ve got the doctor and the manager down to have a net tomorrow.

Knight also stressed the biggest competition in women’s cricket is unlikely to go the distance without COVID related complications. 

“People are desperate to get the tournament on. If something goes badly wrong with COVID, it’s not an ideal situation and hopefully, it never happens.

“It’s probably unlikely it will be a COVID-free World Cup, but that is the hope.”

England are the defending champions, having beaten India at Lord’s back