In an effort to deal with the mental toll of the new norms associated with international cricket, West Indies will travel to Bangladesh with a sports psychologist.
This is according to Cricket West Indies (CWI) Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams during a Zoom conference on Tuesday.
Adams indicated that information relating to effects of these situations are still in the early stages but this will be a step towards improvements.
“Life in the bubble, CWI has recognized that it can affect players and to that end the England tour and this tour coming up to Bangladesh, part of the touring party will include a sports psychologist who will actually tour as opposed to staying in the Caribbean and providing long arm support,” he revealed.
The former West Indies captain added, “We are still in the relatively early stages of what effect this type of lifestyle will have on players, it is something that we are gathering data tour by tour with feedback from players but at the very least we feel having the expertise of a sports psychologist on hand for the players should help if there is any issues on tour.”
A large number of players have opted not to take part in this upcoming tour among them, West Indies Test captain Jason Holder who has been outspoken on the effect it has taken on him.
“The highly-rated all-rounder said playing amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic impacted players mentally, especially with the challenge of “going from bubble to bubble” and having to undergo quarantine protocols in respective countries.
“It has been a tough year not only for the team but I know for me personally it has been tough,” Holder said while adding, “I haven’t seen home in six months now. We’ve been going non-stop – we’ve had pay cuts – and it’s a situation where you’re still trying to make a living and still looking to make use of every opportunity that you get.”
He went on to say, “But having said that, going from bubble to bubble, being isolated in a room, sometimes the room just gets smaller and smaller by the second. I know a few guys have some tired minds – we’ve been on the road for a little while.”
Holder continued, “It will be good for the guys to get home for Christmas and spend some time with their families. Hopefully some of them get there in time … this will be much needed rest for some players to just refresh and come back.”
England’s Tom Curran and Tom Banton have both withdrawn from the Big Bash League citing bubble fatigue.
Meanwhile, former Australia all-rounder and president of the Australia cricket players’ union, Shane Watson has warned that the game could lose players over bubble
