MELBOURNE (AUSTRALIA) – Australia limited overs skipper Aaron Finch said on Tuesday the mental health of cricketers who are forced to remain within biosecure bubbles will be tested over the next two years and staff are seeking ways to prepare the players to meet challenges.
He will lead a 21-member team to England for a T20 international series beginning on Sept. 4 in Southampton. It will be followed by a one-day series in Manchester.
Some members of his team are slated to travel to the UAE for the Indian Premier League before returning home to prepare for India’s tour.
Finch said that the movement of players will be severely restricted to prevent the spread of infections and this could take a toll on their mental health.
“I definitely feel it’s going to be a real issue and a real factor over the next couple of years, in particular,” Finch said.
“It’s going to be something to monitor heavily. Because it could be a few months that guys are in these bio-bubbles and being stuck in a hotel room by yourself for a couple of weeks on end – or four-five months … that could be really tough.”
Along with other Melbourne residents, Finch is also under lockdown.
Finch said the team’s sports psychologist Michael Lloyd had prepared plans for players and was talking to each player.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field