Dubai: The recent International Cricket Council (ICC) Twenty20 World Cup reflected a huge improvement in the fitness levels of cricketers from around the world, remarked David Richardson, the Chief Executive of the International Cricket Council.
Speaking to Gulf News, soon after launching ICC Academy’s PowerBase conditioning facility and new cricket training and playing area, Richardson said: “Cricket is still a game for all body types and types of athletes and I think at the top level you have seen a huge increase on the emphasis on fitness and strength and has become part of the modern game. It is becoming important to not only be stronger and hit the ball further but to stay fit to be more effective in the field. Players need to be fit and supple and that is why we need facilities like this [at the ICC Academy].
When asked whether West Indies emerged as the Twenty20 champions due to their superior physical fitness, Richardson said: “West Indies are naturally extremely athletic. So their natural qualities lend themselves to the T20 format, in particular and even their temperament as well. So I think it is not surprising that they excel at the T20 format but I am hoping, as history has shown, they can then transfer those skills to the other formats as well and they become a force to be reckoned with across the board.”
Maqbul Dudhia, General Manager, Sports and Events Business of the Dubai Sports City, who has been instrumental in adding many innovative training facilities to the venue, said: “We need to be innovative and keep ahead of time. We need to think forward on what we do and that is why countries like West Indies opted to train here before flying to India for the World Cup.”
Peter Kelly, the Strength and Conditioning Specialist of the ICC Academy and the physical trainer of the UAE national team who designed the Powerbase at the academy said: “It’s a purpose built indoor and outdoor conditioning facility, dedicated to athletic development and specific physical training, which is required to play elite cricket. It has been designed with focus to improve strength, power, speed and endurance,” said Kelly.
In addition to Powerbase, the academy also has created ‘Cricket Cage’ a floodlit multi-use cricket space, designed for coaching practice and games. It includes 8-a-side cricket court, which can enable even indoor league style cricket in open air. “This space can even be converted into six practice net lanes for batting, bowling and coaching.
There is even a facility to sprint inside the gymnasium. Cricket has changed a lot, the ability to jump higher and run faster has become really important. Today you need strength to play pull and powerful shots. We don’t necessarily want cricketers to be big and huge like rugby players but we want to make sure they have the ability to perform at peak marks preventing injuries,” said Kelly.
