World Champions England set to start practice under strict protocols amid coronavirus fear

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Thursday confirmed that men's team will return to individual skills-based training, beginning from next week under "strict" protocols amid coronavirus pandemic. Meanwhile, all global sporting events have eir been postponed or cancelled due to coronavirus fear. IPL 2020 that was supposed to get underway on March 29 has as of w been indefinitely suspended. semi-final and final matches of ongoing edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) have been postponed as well. 

" ECB's plan has been designed in line with Government's guidance, and we will continue to ensure we comply with ir regulations as it develops," ECB said in a statement

ECB 's next course of action

From Wednesday, ECB's Men's Elite Performance Programme will implement an individualised training programme for a number of bowlers, who are centrally contracted and invited through county system.

After a two-week period, once bowlers have reached ir desired loing efforts, dedicated batsmen and wicketkeepers will start ir respective training programmes on an individual basis.

protocols state that each individual will observe "strict social-distancing, hygiene and temperature testing protocols" and dressing rooms and or venue facilities will be closed. Also, players and support staff will arrive in training kit rey to practice and physio will have to wear personal protective equipment (PPE), funded by ECB, to treat injuries.

next two phases of training, which will be imposed by Government in conjunction with ECB's medical team, will be anunced in due course. It is expected that England women's players will resume training in late June.

England Men's Cricket, Managing Director, Ashley Giles said safety of players, staff, and our community is ir first priority throughout this protocol.

"se are first steps for players return to training ahe of international cricket potentially resuming later this summer. safety of players, staff, and our community is our first priority throughout this protocol. We are committed to hering to public health guidelines and Government directives intended to prevent spre of COVID-19," Giles said in a statement.

"To be clear, we will only train and potentially play cricket behind closed doors if we kw it is absolutely safe to do so and is fully supported by Government. We are in constant dialogue with players, coaches, and counties to determine what is possible during this period and what facilities will be available to us. We are thankful that we have a united front across all of cricket's stakeholders to prepare players in a safe and secure environment," he ded. 

England h won ir maiden World Cup last year after getting better of a resurgent New Zealand side in a thrilling super over after both teams were tied at 241 after end of regulation time i.e. 100 overs of cricket.

(Im Courtesy: AP)

 (With ANI Inputs)