Coronavirus outbreak: England cricketers given personalized training programmes
All sport has faced an uncertainty amid the coronavirus pandemic which has claimed more than 18,000 lives. Last week the ECB announced a seven-week delay to the start of the 2020 season, however, with the disease spreading rapidly, things are unknown. England's men and women's centrally contracted cricketers have been given personalized training programmes. Here's more.
Cricket West Indies offers England to host Test series
Cricket West Indies (CWI) offered to host the three-match Test series against England later this year. The Test series between the two nations was originally scheduled in England from June 4, but the coronavirus pandemic has put the series under doubt. CWI chief executive Johnny Grave stated that the board has held talks with England Cricket Board regarding this matter.
England's tour of Sri Lanka was called off
On March 13, England's Test tour of Sri Lanka was called off due to the growing threat of the the COVID-19 pandemic. The ECB confirmed that the aim is to reschedule the series. The decision came when England were playing their final four-day warm-up match.
ECB gives this directive regarding resumption of cricket
Last week, the ECB announced that no professional cricket will take place in England and Wales till May 28 in the wake of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The ECB said it is working on a range of options to start the season in June, July or August. The ECB had an immediate focus on options for cricket in June.
Root backs a structured plan
"While it has been good to get some downtime after our return from Lanka, keeping my fitness up is really important so I can be at the top of my game when we get back on the field. I'm an active person anyway, with my young son keeping me busy, but having a structured plan will help me improve," he said to AFP.
Knight feels programme is a way to stay in shape
England Women skipper Heather Knight claimed, "It's obviously not ideal but it's a great way of trying to stay in shape and keep ticking over. This is a new challenge - we'll all just be doing what we can to maintain our levels and hopefully be as ready as we can when we get back playing, whenever that comes."
Root eyeing recovery to get his body in good shape
"We'd obviously much rather be playing cricket right now, but this gives us an opportunity to recover from a demanding past 12 months and get our bodies in good shape for when matches resume," the England skipper added.
