Sri Lankan batting legend Kumar Sangakkara has stated that it will look “really weird” and “off-putting” to play cricket under the new guidelines laid down by apex cricket governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC). However, he added that he understands that there is no other option, and if the sport is to resume such strict laws are the need of the hour.

Notably, the ICC had recently sent a comprehensive set of guidelines to all its member nations to get the sport running around the world but also maintaining the highest safety protocols.

“I understand the guidelines are going to restrict players, playing of the game, it’s going to look really weird, and off-putting even for me when I think about it,” Sangakkara said on Star Sports’ show Cricket Connected.

“But the priority is health and safety. Health is absolutely paramount at this time, especially for players to have the confidence to get back to cricket, to get back to playing, to have grounds may be at some point open to spectators,” he added.

The safety measures announced by the ICC in the guidelines include the appointment of chief medical officers, a 14-day mandatory pre-match isolation camp and the use of gloves by umpires while handling the ball.

“It’s got to be a partnership because when you are under contract, your employer is responsible for creating a safe environment and educating the players and insisting that the environment that they come to work in is very safe,”, Sangakkara, who is also the President of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), said

“Players also have the responsibility in turn to understand what the government guidelines are. It’s not just about you and I, it’s also about how we spread it to other people – loved ones, the elderly in society – so you got to really be mindful of that.”

The former Sri Lankan skipper also said that it is important to understand that these rules are for the safety of everyone associated with the game.

“If that environment of safety and health is not there, then the doubts keep coming back, ‘Should we start, should be go back to playing?’ So, we have to be really careful there, and understand that all these new rules are to try and make it as safe as possible even though it seems very, very detailed and extensive,” he said.