Cricket backlash

A LEADING environmental science expert has urged cricket authorities to revisit the measure used to assess air quality when they develop new protocols as Cricket Australia braces for the prospect of play being suspended during the Sydney Test because of bushfire smoke.

The air quality index reading used by cricket is assessed over a rolling 24-hour period but Professor Mark Taylor from Macquarie University’s department of environmental sciences wants the game to consider change.

A LEADING environmental science expert has urged cricket authorities to revisit the measure used to assess air quality when they develop new protocols as Cricket Australia braces for the prospect of play being suspended during the Sydney Test because of bushfire smoke.

The air quality index reading used by cricket is assessed over a rolling 24hour period but Professor Mark Taylor from Macquarie University’s department of environmental sciences wants the game to consider change.

“If CA are reviewing their policy in regards to air quality and health risk for cricketers it would be prudent for them to consider a period of particulate exposure that is relevant to the period of play, both nationally and internationally for when our cricketers are playing overseas,” Professor Taylor said.

“It might mean a shorter time period of time for acceptable levels exposure, especially where the levels of very fine particles less then 2.5 microns are elevated.

“If exposure period is averaged over 24 hours then it might be not adequately protective especially if there’s a big spike of fine particulate pollution that occurs during play when risk assessment is most relevant.

“Even if there’s nothing to see it would be prudent for cricket authorities to revisit that and make sure they are comfortable with making those recommendations.”