ICC says fast bowlers require at least two months of prep time to avoid injuries

The ICC released its back to cricket guidelines.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) feels that the fast bowlers who are looking to resume their cricket with Test matches need atleast two months of preparations in order to avoid injuries.

Since March this year, cricket has been suspended worldwide in all capacities due to the Coronavirus pandemic, however, with the pandemic being contained in some places, cricket boards are plotting their returns to regular cricket.

14-day isolation camp, umpires wearing gloves among ICC guidelines for cricket's resumption

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 will follow in August.

"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.

The cricketing body released its back-to-cricket guidelines late on Friday and advised teams to use larger squads and exercise caution over bowlers' workloads, saying test cricket would require a minimum of eight to 12-week preparation with the final four-five weeks involving match intensity bowling.

The preparation time of six weeks was recommended for bowlers returning to the shorter 50-over and Twenty20 internationals.

(Reuters inputs)