England’s bowlers go back to their marks for first, tentative steps

Up to 18 bowlers will take part in individualised training sessions across seven county venues – not including Emerald Headingley – as talks continue between the England and Wales Cricket Board and Cricket West Indies over a planned three-Test series.

The designated bowlers, whose identities have not been revealed by the ECB, will practice at Edgbaston, Old Trafford, the Riverside, the Oval, Trent Bridge, Taunton and Hove.

The players will have their temperatures checked before each session but no testing for coronavirus will take place at this stage.

England’s batsmen and wicketkeepers, such as Test captain Joe Root and his Yorkshire team-mate Jonny Bairstow, will begin their training on June 1, when Headingley will be among training locations added to the list.

It had been hoped that England’s bowlers would commence training earlier but those plans were put on hold due to complications over obtaining PPE and clearance to take county staff off furlough. Further logistical problems have included making sure that grounds meet the government’s Covid-19 guidelines for elite sport.

For those bowlers back today, they must arrive in kit ready to start practice, wash their hands regularly and clean equipment with disinfectant wipes.

Social distancing must be maintained and, if bowlers bowl in an empty net, they must collect their own ball which they are also not allowed to shine with saliva or sweat.

Although the International Cricket Council has recommended a temporary ban on the use of saliva to polish the ball, sweat was not scratched off the list. However, the ECB has for now ruled out the use of any bodily fluids to help bowlers gain movement through the air.

A physiotherapist will be at each ground to oversee the training sessions before selected county coaches – possibly including Yorkshire first-team coach Andrew Gale – are drafted in to help in the coming days and weeks.

Ashley Giles, the ECB’s director of men’s cricket, said that the sessions should be “safer than it is to go to the supermarket”.