The clocks going back and the long cold night drawing in only means one thing at Emirates Durham ICG…fitness tests!
Many of the Durham squad reported back to Emirates Durham ICG for a series of fitness tests and assessments across the week. The tests, lead by Strength and Conditioning coach Mike King are designed to asses the lads current levels of fitness after the end of season break. After six weeks off this allows the Durham coaches to plan out individual winter training programmes.
This week saw the players take part in conditioning screening, fitness tests at Emirates Durham and strength assessments at the English institute of Sport.
Durham Strength and Conditioning Coach Mike King:
“After a long hard season it is important for the lads to rest and recover. These conditioning tests allow us to plan out player specific training programmes that adapt to those players specific needs. The training programmes are designed to re-habilitate players from any injuries or physical issues that occurred through the season and then to ready the body for the rigours of the new County Cricket season.”
Not all of the Durham squad were on duty today however, as some players have been granted extended breaks to recover from injury. Durhams 2012 Player of the Year, Graham Onions, was another absentee as he is part of the England Test side touring India. Young all-rounders Scott Borthwick and Ben Stokes are due to meet up with the England Performance Programme and Mark Stoneman and Mitchell Claydon have already flown out to play club cricket in Australia.
2013 promises to be a momentous year for Durham CCC and preparations are well under way at Emirates Durham ICG. Keep an eye on the Durham CCC website to see what the lads get up to over the winter months.