Coronavirus Outbreak: Sri Lanka head coach Mickey Arthur says team hoping to resume outdoor training from 1 June

Sri Lanka’s cricketers are hoping to return to training from 1 June in bio-secure venues once the government gives the green light, head coach Mickey Arthur has said.

Cricket has been suspended since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Sri Lanka’s home series against England and South Africa have been postponed.

Sri Lanka head coach Mickey Arthur during a press address. AP

Sri Lanka has had some success in curtailing the spread of the new coronavirus, having reported just over 1,000 cases, and the government is prepared to ease lockdown restrictions.

“Last Wednesday we had a quick meeting because we are starting to get our plans in place for June 1,” Arthur told ESPNcricinfo.

“Once we get the official go-ahead from the ministry of health I will start putting meat into that structure with the captains and my support staff.”

Training will initially be limited to fast bowlers but Arthur hopes he can coach the full squad from 20 June.

“It is looking good with the health ministry, but it will be a smaller group. We’ll probably prioritise our fast bowlers because they are the ones who are going to need more time to get back into it,” Arthur, who took the job in December, said.

“Once we get some assurances from the medical staff around the world that biosecure (environment) is fine and what the virus could do to you potentially if you got it.”

“And then hopefully after the first 20 days of June, we could virtually have our whole squad back training.”

England players returned to individual skill-based training this week.

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