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Lockdown could affect players physically and mentally

by Barbados Today
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West Indies tour to England will be tough during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic but it is good to get the game back in the middle, says former Barbados all-rounder Franklyn Stephenson.

Whether the three-match Test series scheduled for July 8-28 at the Ageas Bowl in Hampshire will take place is an ongoing debate as there are concerns about the safety of players travelling to England. That country has one of the highest death rates because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, Stephenson during a telephone interview with Barbados TODAY, said once the authorities in England put the relevant safety precautions in place to protect the players, then he was all for cricket being played when that time comes.

“Anything to get the game back on the field of play is of help and taking a lead from other countries around the world is a step in that direction,” Stephenson said. He added that with the amount of testing players were going to be subjected to and their privacy invaded, this was the time for the players to remain positive in what is being referred to as the new norm.

“Anything for cricket. It is going to be tough. The authorities are putting so much in place; they are sacrificing so much; it is all for the sport and I am all for it. I am sure they will be safe; I am sure that they are going to take all precautions to make sure that they put strategies in place. It will be great to see cricket being played. I think that is some of the fastest progress we can make actually to inspire the people to get their sport back.

“We need to look at the other countries to see how they implement breakout strategies safely and that is going to help, anything to help the game go forward will help. Unless there are breakouts and I do not see that happening because the players are going to be tested so often, their privacy is going to be invaded big time, but these are different times. But they just have to stay positive,” Stephenson said.

Playing without spectators is also going to be a challenge but Stevenson insisted that going forward this will be the new norm. He said: “These are new times and I am sure they are practising for all those scenarios. They have to be less audible with their banter, they have to be careful about that because they would not have any crowds to drown out what they say to each other. But they are not dead men out there, things are going to be said and it is going to be a big loss not having the spectators. It is almost like a trial basis and I am sure we will see some new norms coming out of that without spectators.”

Head of the Franklyn Stephenson Academy located at Bennetts, St. Thomas, the man considered by many the best regional first-class cricketer never to play Test cricket, offered words of encouragement to players during this time especially the young ones who are eager to get back out and play the sport they love. While Stephenson advised the players to be proactive and positive as they navigate through these unprecedented times, he also urged local authorities to observe closely the impact this lockdown could have on the mental health of players.

Therefore, Stephenson, an outstanding cricket on the England and South African circuits, advocated for the current restrictions put in place by the Government to be relaxed further to allow young people the opportunity to train with their clubs.

“The youngsters are going to be wondering why they are on lockdown, they can’t leave the house, they can’t play the sport, it is going to be messing with their lives for sure. I think we have to act as soon as possible to give them that outlet. I mean they say ‘no’ to playing the sport, but why not allow the youngsters to get supervision under their normal clubs. I am sure the clubs would be instrumental in keeping the youngsters (training). They cannot do it every day, but you have small groups in the evening, and I am sure the clubs would put in that sacrifice.

“This will help their bodies and mind develop. We do not know what damage it is doing to them to have to sit at home all day with all that energy and all that focus on the disciplines they are normally good at. So I think the authorities have got to look at that and get together with the sporting bodies and get the youngsters out on those big wide-open playing fields to do some running around and help to develop their bodies and minds,” Stephenson said.

morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb

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