Players won't be able to spit on the ball to shine it or get umpires to hold their kit when the domestic first class cricket programme starts in just over a week.
New Zealand's captain Kane Williamson shines the ball. Photo: Photosport Ltd 2017 www.photosport.nz
Other than six players currently in the UAE for the IPL, the rest of the Black Caps will turn out for their provincial sides for the of the Plunket Shield four day competition which starts on October 19th.
New Zealand Cricket head of operations Richard Brewer said they have adopted much of ICC's COVID-19 regulations which have been in effect in the during the northern hemisphere season.
"This means New Zealand domestic players will not be permitted to use saliva to shine the ball, and umpires will no longer hold the players' caps or other items of clothing," said Brewer.
Kane Williamson jokes around with umpire Aleem Dar. Black Caps v India. Basin Reserve, Wellington, February 2020. Photo: © Copyright Andrew Cornaga 2020 / www.photosport.nz / Photosport Ltd
"The new rules also allow for the replacement of players displaying symptoms of COVID-19 during a match, with the option for the player to return to the game following a negative result," he said.
"These measures will be overseen by the Match Referee and Match Officials, and have already been successfully piloted in pre-season warm-up fixtures between domestic men's sides."
Four rounds of Plunket Shield will be played before Christmas.