Dilhara,Nuwan on the road to recovery-Alex
By Marlon Fernandopulle
As the Sri Lankan Cricketers began preparations for a gruelling season
ahead leading to next year's World Cup, team Physio Alex Kontouri was confident
that injured players were recovering quickly  and
will be at their peak for the important tours ahead.
This is a very important period for our players.We have to prepare for
some of the toughest tours this year and for next year's World Cup.We have
a few players who were injured in the recent past and are recovering fast
while the rest of the players need to be at their best fitness for the
coming season said Alex Kontouri soon after a training session with the
Lankan players.
The Sri Lankan squad began training a few days ago following a brief
rest after completing a hectic season that culminated with eight successive
Test wins.This year the team is scheduled to tour England,South Africa,
Australia and Sharjah(twice) before the World Cup in March next year.
Speaking on the injured Dilhara Fernando Physio Alex Kontouri said,the
youngster is on the road to recovery.He suffered a stress fracture in his
spine last October and was advised to rest for 6-8 weeks.However we did
not rush him for any games but rested him for a longer period.On the advice
of Daryl Foster his action was altered slightly(on the point of delivery)as
it was not Bio-mechanically sound and prone to further injury.He has now
begun to bowl and is expected to be be ready for Sri Lanka's tour of England
in May.
Another fast bowler Nuwan Zoysa has also progressed satisfactorily following
the stress fracture on his ankle.Nuwan had a very serious and unusual injury
which is generally not associated with fast bowlers.This was mainly due
to his odd shaped left ankle.However he has come out well but will have
to be carefully nurtured in the coming months so that he is needed for
the more important tours.
Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, and Romesh Kaluwitharana who were
all carrying minor injuries in the past have recovered fully and are currently
training twice a day with the squad.All the Lankan players who were advised
to keep away from Club cricket for a couple of weeks will play in the current
tournament from this week.
Meanwhile former Sri Lanka vice captain Aravinda de Silva who was recalled
to the squad and asked to prove his fitness is also training hard.According
to Kontouri, De Silva has been given an additional workload and is shaping
up very well. He is determined to make a comeback and infact has already
shed a couple of kilos to regain his fitness.The National Selectors have
requested Kontouri to give a special report on De Silva's fitness and his
progress.
Kontouri is also preparing a report to be submitted to the Cricket Board
on the injuries to the players during the past 13 months.Interestingly
the report reveals that eight players make up 58% of the injuries and 28%
of the time in the last 13 months the players have been involved in an
International game. |
