Bowlers to take their first steps after ECB green light
BOWLERS are to start training at seven county grounds from today as cricket joins football in stepping up its return-to-action plans.
Sport was brought to a shuddering halt in mid-march as the world attempted to get a grip on Covid-19, but socially-distant training is beginning across the country.
The England and Wales Cricket Board have announced that up to 18 bowlers will take part in individualised training sessions at Edgbaston, Emirates Old Trafford, Emirates Riverside, Kia Oval, Trent Bridge, Taunton and Hove, with each hosting at least one session this week before a full roll-out from Monday.
The designated bowlers, whose identities have not yet been confirmed, will have their temperatures checked but no testing is planned in stage one of the return to training.
England women’s players could return to training as early as next month as managing director Clare Connor revealed they are committed to completing as much of the international schedule as possible.
Connor also suggested England are considering hosting a Women’s Triseries also involving India and South Africa later in the summer.
India were scheduled to travel for white-ball assignments in June and July while South Africa are due over in September but a possible alternative to those series involves a condensed programme between the three nations. Nothing is concrete as the England and Wales Cricket Board grapples with the implications of the coronavirus pandemic.
Phase one of football’s return was given the green light by Premier League clubs at the beginning of the week, allowing them to start small, socially-distanced training sessions from Tuesday. Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder said: “A lot of people have been tested and the signs are encouraging.
“Testing has been very thorough. A lot of hard work has gone in to make sure this runs as smoothly as possible.
“It is baby steps in the process of returning to full training.”
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin expressed his belief that “good old football with fans will come back very soon”.
He said: “I don’t think this virus will last forever. I think it will (change) sooner than many think.
“It’s a serious situation but it is going down now and we are being more cautious. We know more about the virus and, in general, I’m an optimistic person. I don’t like this apocalyptic view that we have to wait for the second and third waves or even a fifth wave. People you know are likely to die one day, but do we have to be worried today? I don’t think so.
“We are ready and we will follow the recommendations of the authorities but I’m absolutely sure, personally, that good old football with fans will come back very soon.”
Meanwhile, the 2020 Prudential Ridelondon-surrey Classic has been cancelled, leaving Britain without a major cycle race this year.
The Worldtour event, scheduled for August 16, had been included on the UCI’S revised calendar earlier this month but organisers have pulled the plug on the race, as well as the women’s Ridelondon Classique and the accompanying mass participation events.
I don’t think this virus will last forever. It will (change) sooner than many think. I don’t like this apocalyptic view. Aleksander Ceferin