SL cricketers to begin training from June 1

Sri Lankan cricketers will start their training from June 1

By BIPIN DANI

If the Coronavirus situation does not worsen further in the country, the Sri Lankan cricketers will start their group residential training from June 1, according to reliable sources.

The training of group players would be supervised by Sri Lanka Cricket Head Coach Mickey Arthur and the training staff at the venue. 

According to the sources, the Ministry of Sports has issued a 12-page guideline in five different phases for different athletes and the cricketers will be put in phase four, titled as ‘group residential training with the coach and supporting staff at the venue.’  

Two venues in Colombo have been shortlisted for the purpose and they will train either at the CCC Grounds or at the SSC Grounds.

Players would reside in a hotel and they will not be allowed to go home during the entire duration.
During this period of training, the transport provider will also be considered as team member and will not be allowed to travel home but to reside at the same hotel. 

The Ministry of Sports has recommended a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 15 players along with the support staff in this phase four category. Players will be asked to avoid shaking hands. 

The Sports Ministry Medical Team is likely to be led by Dr Daminda Attanayake who will proactively and regularly check players’ health status including taking their temperature and monitoring for any symptoms.

The doctors have been especially asked to conduct PCR testing before commencing training and to repeat this testing after six days during their training.