England Cricket Board has decided to start skill-based training of all its Test Match players from next week.
The ECB has a number of international and local stadiums which they will use for players’ individual training sessions.
In this way the ECB will be able to give a good environment to all the players which will ensure that all the players are healthy and social distancing can be followed properly.
Training staff will also have to strictly follow the guidelines issued by the ECB for their defense.
The England Cricket Board has prepared all the training related plans according to the guidelines issued by the government and all these plans will be executed under their guidance.
From Wednesday next week, Players associated with England cricket will practice on different grounds.
This Programme will implement an individualised training programme firstly for a number of bowlers, who are centrally contracted and invited through the county system.
After two weeks of this training session, the batsman and wicket keeper will be given individual training according to the schedule, when the bowlers will catch their rhythm.
There are various protocols for this training session and those are listed below –
1.The players will be given individual training in the presence of a coach and physio.
2.Each player must strictly follow all protocols related to hygiene, social distancing and temperature.
3.The England Cricket Board will request coaches from County Cricket to contribute for the individual coaching of the players..
4.Players and staff will have to come to the ground by wearing cricket kits.
5.Temperature will be checked before the practice session of every player and support staff.
6.The physio will have to wear a PPE kit to treat injuries.
7.The PPE kit will be funded by the ECB
8.No player is allowed to change dress in the dressing rooms, as these facilities will be closed.
Decisions on the training of England Women’s Cricket team will also be taken soon and expected to be resumed later this summer.
Ashley Giles, Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket, said:
“These are the first steps for players to return to training ahead of international cricket potentially resuming later this summer.
“The safety of players, staff and our community is our first priority throughout this protocol. We are committed to adhering to public health guidelines and Government directives intended to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“To be clear, we will only train and potentially play cricket behind closed doors if we know it is absolutely safe to do so and is fully supported by the Government.