Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is set to introduce amended fitness tests for national cricketers for next year (2022) to retain and further improve their current fitness levels.
The cricket administration is reported to have further increased the existing targets set for the 2km run and the skin-fold tests.
The 2km test was introduced early this year (2021) replacing the Yo-Yo test to determine the fitness and endurance levels of the players. The test which had a benchmark of 8.35 minutes, was increased to 8.55 minutes, on a request made by the Cricket Technical Advisory Committee.
However, SLC selectors now want the national players to perform the 2km run within the expected benchmark of 8.10 minutes.
As per the amendments, those who run below the benchmark up to 8.35 minutes will be eligible for selection but the SLC will retain a percentage from the annual contract fee until the player reaches the expected target.
In addition, the cricket administration has also lowered the skin-fold test levels to 70 from 85.
The players will also be randomly tested on a monthly basis to check whether they are working on maintaining their fitness.
Chairman of Selectors Pramodya Wickremasinghe said the amendments to the fitness tests have been made as the SLC wants the players to work hard on their fitness, adding that it will not tolerate lapses in fitness.
The first of the four fitness tests scheduled for the year will be held on January 7, 2022, where all contracted players will be requested to participate. (NewsWire)