Sri Lanka Cricket yesterday (February 12) carried out the ‘2 KM Run Fitness Test’ for the National Players to ascertain their fitness levels.
Accordingly, 32 of the players out of a 36-member provisional squad, who are training for the Tour of West Indies, which is under discussion, participated in the test.
The SLC said the fitness test was conducted at the Sugathadasa Stadium.
SLC today launched the ‘2 KM Run Fitness Test’ for the National Players to ascertain their fitness levels.
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) February 12, 2021
32 of the players out of a 36 member provisional squad training for the Tour of West Indies, participated in the test.
READ: https://t.co/1mTt8YJ4lH pic.twitter.com/RHeNBWWMeP
The new test, a standard method of determining the ‘Fitness and Endurance’ levels of athletes, replaced the Yo-Yo method adopted by Sri Lanka Cricket.
According to the new test, players were given a target of running the 2 Kilometer distance within a time frame of 8 minutes and 35 seconds.
Sources revealed that four players – Dhanushka Gunathilaka, Dilruwan Perera, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Kusal Janith Perera – have failed the test.
“Going forward, we will adjust the scores as we get better and become world-class. The Bowlers, Batsmen, and the Wicket Keepers will be given different time targets,” said Grant Luden, Physical Performance Manager of Sri Lanka Cricket.
“If a player fails, he can do another test within 40 days, and our idea is to achieve the minimum fitness standards before the T20 world cup, which will be played later this year,” added Luden.
Results of the ‘Fitness Test’ will be notified to the Cricket Selection Committee.
The SLC said Kusal Mendis who is on leave to attend to a personal matter, Dhananjaya De Silva who is under rehabilitation for the injury suffered during the Tour of South Africa, Avishka Fernando who suffered an ankle injury and Lahiru Thirimanne who is under medical care after testing positive for Covid-19 could not did not take part in the fitness test.
