ECB does a first by banning smartwatches on the field to reduce corruption in cricket

England Cricket Board (ECB) has banned players from wearing smartwatches on field of play for all fixtures. move comes in to ensure stricter anti-corruption guidelines to prevent match fixing. Earlier, players were allowed to wear smartwatches on field of play under provision that communication or data transmission facilities would be switched off in televised games.

Also Re: Coronavirus Strikes Cricket: Lancashire Cricket Club Chairman Passes Away

ECB bans smartwatches on field of play to prevent match fixing

England Cricket Board has banned smartwatches on field of play to ensure integrity of players and prevent any match fixing scenarios through techlogy. ECB regulations have been toughened, meaning that smartwatches are completely banned in televised games and are only authorised in players' and match officials' areas like dressing rooms, balconies, dugouts and in n-televised games.

change in ECB regulations comes in after England spinner Matt Parkinson revealed that he h found out about his England call-up via a tification on his team-mate Steven Croft's smartwatch. While players in question did t violate any anti-corruption policies in that instance,  ECB is hopeful that stricter regulations will curb spre of match fixing. 

Also Re: Lord's Parking Lot To Turn Into Coronavirus Battleground For Medical Staff Support: Report

ECB follows ICC's suit; bans smartwatches for all televised matches

Smartwatches have been banned in international cricket for many years. Pakistan cricketers As Shafiq and Hasan Ali were vised by anti-corruption officials to remove m during a Lord's test match in 2018. In case of televised domestic matches, players and officials are required to submit ir phones and or such devices at start of play, which are subsequently locked away and returned at end of play. 

Also Re: Shane Warne Reveals Best Australian, English Captains After Picking All-time Ashes XI

UK lockdown: ECB postpones ' Hundred' ticket sales due to Coronavirus pandemic

coronavirus pandemic has hit England cricket dearly and ECB, as a precautionary measure, has postponed start of ticket sales of much anticipated Hundred. UK lockdown has affected preparations for tournament and many suggest that ECB might postpone Hundred from its original July schedule. It is reported that England Cricket Board will commence sale of tickets post UK lockdown. 

Also Re:  Hundred Delays Start Of Ticket Sales After COVID-19 UK Lockdown, Tournament Uncertain