Cricketers set to resume training on Friday
Sri Lanka cricketers could resume their training as early as next Friday (15), a few days after lockdown restrictions are eased, but are unlikely to feature in any international cricket until September this year.
As reported by the Sunday Times last week, Sri Lanka Cricket ( SLC), together with its coaching staff and doctors from the Institute of Sports Medicine, has drawn up an exit strategy with a residential training camp proposed to bring cricketers back to action in preparation for any future international cricket.
The national team residential camp is aimed at ensuring that priority players can initiate training at the earliest. Non-residential training has been ruled out in May which means SLC will have to push its domestic tournament to mid- July ( not midJune, as initially planned).
“We have written to the health authorities seeking their advice and approval on a possible resumption of training. Once we get this, we will start with the residential training. Our focus right now is the domestic cricket tournament which is likely to be played in mid-July,” explained SLC secretary Mohan de Silva.
International cricket remains indefinitely suspended the world over following the COVID-19 pandemic. Its resumption is solely at the mercy of the virus which has infected over 3 million people across the globe.
SLC is currently negotiating international cricket after September which effectively means the Indian and Bangladesh tours to the island will not take place as scheduled in June and July.
However, the team’s coaching staff believe that cricketers need at least 4-6 weeks of physical and skills training before being allowed to play competitive cricket from a health and safety perspective, in order to avoid soft tissue and bone stress injuries.
This will allow players a meaningful head start and reduce the high risk of injury following the cessation of high intensity training.
The residential training will kickoff with frontline fast bowlers and key players who require close supervision and specialist rehabilitation support, returning from injury. Coaching staff believe the fast bowlers need a progressive return to incremental physical and ground reaction/ impact load, to protect them from soft tissue and bone stress injuries.
Accordingly, the residential camp will allow these players greater protection and help maximise their skills in preparation for competitive matches.
The residential camp will begin with Lahiru Kumara, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Isuru Udana, Wanindu Hasaranga and Dasun Shanaka, going through the two- week training schedule in line with the government medical requirements.
However, SLC is confident they could resume general outdoor training as early as the first week of June with, potentially, a staggered approach in observance of safety guidelines.