Bowlers need at least two months’ preparation before returning to the game: ICC

The sport’s world governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), has warned that bowlers may take two to three months to prepare for bowling due to the lockdown due to the coronavirus or risk injury.

Due to the corona virus, like other sports in the world, cricket activities have also been canceled since the month of March, but now after the relaxation of the lockdown, various countries have started considering the regular start of cricket activities.

The Pakistan team is scheduled to visit England in August for three Tests and as many T20 matches, and to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, these matches will be played in stadiums without spectators.

However, the ICC has warned that before the start of the matches, the players, especially the bowlers, need to prepare themselves physically so that they can avoid injury.

The sport’s world governing body said bowlers are at a higher risk of injury due to prolonged absences from games and training.

The ICC advised teams to have more bowlers in their squads and take special care of the load on bowlers as bowlers need at least 8 to 12 weeks of preparation and training before taking to Test cricket. And bowling training should be done in the last four weeks.

Bowlers have been instructed to prepare for at least 6 weeks before returning to ODI and T20 cricket.

The ICC has directed all its members to carry a medical advisor or biosafety official to ensure the players’ safe return to play and to protect them from injury.

It should be noted that this week ICC banned the use of saliva on the ball in view of the threat of corona virus.

To avoid the risk of the virus, players must maintain social distancing and try to avoid unnecessary physical contact.