ZCZC
BSP-21
CRICKET-PLAYERS-SHADOW
Cricketers urged to do shadow practice during lockdown
DHAKA, June 17, 2020 (BSS) — While some training sessions could help the cricketers gain their skill, the cricket experts said the players also should make shadow practice with bat and ball during the lockdown.
They said it is imperative to keep playing cricketing shots or bowling in limited scale to get the motion right even though there is not enough place to play.
The Bangladesh players are out on action since mid-March following the outbreak of Covid-19. There is possibility that the cricketers could come back on the ground to have an individual practice session and there is also the Sri Lanka tour is on the cards.
Since Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) doesn’t rule out the tour officially, the players are needed to be mentally ready.
In an online meeting with the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB), the players though gave their opinions not to tour Sri Lanka until the situation improves.
However Khaled Mahmudu Sujon, the head coach of Abahani Limted and BPL club Dhaka Dynamites said the top cricketers won’t take much time to regain their rhythm.
“I think seven to eight sessions are enough to get the top cricketers ready,” Mahmud, also the chairman of BCB game development committee told the BSS.
“Technically most of the players are in good stead. They are not getting the opportunity to play shots at home but once the training session start, we will have them prepared.”
Sri Lanka is keen to host Bangladesh as scheduled even though Bangladesh is yet to decide on that. Mahmudu felt if the Sri Lanka tour takes place, some intense camp would make the Bangladesh ready.
“A two-three week camp is enough if it is one-day or T20 series. But if it is a Test series we must have a minimum four-week camp before that to set everything right,” Mahmud said.
Veteran coach Sarwar Imran said the players could do shadow practice at their home when there is limited opportunity to practice.
“Shadow training at this moment is important like physical training to get the motion right since the players are at home,” Imran said.
“The batsmen could use tennis ball to practice at their rooftop or garage or home yard if they have. Some of the players are at their village now at the moment and so I think, they would get enough place to practice cricketing shots. The bowlers could make shadow bowling to keep them charged up.”
BSS/SMP/SMM/1750 hrs