Squad training will resume this week for top New Zealand cricketers at the High Performance Centre in Lincoln after a prolonged break from the game amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

New Zealand Cricket (NZC), in a statement issued this Monday (July 11), confirmed the development, adding that as many as six national camps will be conducted for men and women's team players in the next few months. 

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"New Zealand's top male and female cricketers will return to squad trainings at the NZC High Performance centre in Lincoln this week, in the first of six national camps scheduled for the coming winter months," read the media release from NZC.

"The South Island and Wellington-based BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS will train at the Canterbury hub this week, while a larger second camp for players further North will commence at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui from July 19."

Later in a tweet, it was confirmed that the female team has already returned to training. 

"We are back! Our 1st post lockdown camp is underway in Lincoln. Players from @cricketwgtn, @CanterburyCrick and @OtagoVolts are attending the first camp with @aucklandcricket, @ndcricket and @CDCricket players getting set for a camp next week at @BayOvalOfficial #CricketNation," the  NZC tweeted for 'White Ferns'. 

New Zealand has been among the least affected countries by the pandemic, with little over 1500 people tested positive, including only 22 deaths and more than 1400 recoveries. 

International cricket returned last week with the first Test of the England-West Indies Test series in Southampton. 

(Inputs from PTI)