DOHA: Bowlers will require two to three months of preparation to avoid injuring themselves, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a statement.
The ICC has published guidelines for the safe resumption of cricket to assist its Members in restarting cricket activity in their countries as government restrictions owing to COVID-19 start to relax.
Cricket, like other global sports, has been suspended since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic but some countries are contemplating guidelines for the return of the game.
“ICC Back to Cricket Guidelines is a comprehensive document developed by the ICC Medical Advisory Committee in consultation with Member Medical Representatives, and provides guidance for the safe resumption of community cricket, domestic professional cricket and international cricket,” ICC said.
England players returned to individual skill-based training this week with the country hoping to begin their delayed summer of cricket with a test series against West Indies in July.
Pakistan are scheduled to tour England to play three tests in August followed by an equal number of Twenty20 Internationals, with the matches taking place behind closed doors as part of measures to combat COVID-19.
“Bowlers are at a particularly high risk of injury on return to play after a period of enforced time-out,” the world governing body ICC said in its back-to-cricket guidelines released late on Friday.
“The guidelines do not provide answers to when the game can resume in different parts of the world, rather provide a framework with practical suggestions on how members can resume cricket in a manner that protects against the risk of transmission of or infection with the COVID-19 virus.”
Preparation time of six weeks was recommended for bowlers returning to the shorter 50-over and Twenty20 internationals.
The ICC advised its member boards to consider appointing a medical advisor or bio-safety official to help with planning for a safe return to training and competition. (Source: ICC)
