New Zealand cricketers start squad training in Lincoln after COVID-19 lockdown

Wellington: New Zealand’s top cricketers will return to squad training at the country’s High Performance Centre in Lincoln this week after a prolonged break caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In a statement issued on Monday, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) announced that six national camps will be conducted in the next few months. [caption id=“attachment_8590331” align=“alignnone” width=“640”]  New Zealand women cricketers at a camp in Lincoln. Image: Twitter/@WHITE_FERNS[/caption] “New Zealand’s top male and female cricketers will return to squad trainings at the NZC High Performance centre in Lincoln this week, in the first of six national camps scheduled for the coming winter months,” read the release from NZC. “The South Island and Wellington based BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS will train at the Canterbury hub this week, while a larger second camp for players further North will commence at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui from July 19,” it added. Later, New Zealand’s women’s team’s official Twitter handle posted pictures of players training in Lincoln. “We are back! Our 1st post lockdown camp is underway in Lincoln. Players from @cricketwgtn, @CanterburyCrick and @OtagoVolts are attending the first camp with @aucklandcricket, @ndcricket and @CDCricket players getting set for a camp next week at @BayOvalOfficial #CricketNation,” stated the tweet.

We are back! Our 1st post lockdown camp is underway in Lincoln. Players from @cricketwgtn, @CanterburyCrick and @OtagoVolts are attending the first camp with @aucklandcricket, @ndcricket and @CDCricket players getting set for a camp next week at @BayOvalOfficial #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/tyMcQKbX6V

— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) July 13, 2020

New Zealand has been among the least affected by the pandemic, managing to keep the case count to a little over 1500, including more than 1400 recoveries. The COVID-19 death toll in the country stands at 22 at this point. International cricket has taken small steps towards a resumption with England and the West Indies engaged in a Test series right now. Australian cricketers have also begun training.