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Protea Training in Centurion (Rooster)
- The Proteas have experienced a unique holiday season in isolation preparing for their test series against Sri Lanka.
- Fishing and playing golf in a simulator have been two of the activities to pass the time.
- The team returned another full round of negative results for the coronavirus on Thursday.
As Captain Quinton de Kock noted during the week, it is not unusual for international cricketers to be away from loved ones during the holiday season.
Since the Boxing Day Test cricket is often held in various locations around the world each year, it is part of the course.
This year, however, that separation has been pushed to the extreme.
The Proteas are based at Irene Country Lodge in Centurion, where they are preparing for the first test against Sri Lanka on Saturday and have spent much of their time there in total isolation.
The current situation surrounding the coronavirus pandemic and the second wave of infections from South Africa has meant that, under the direction of team physician Shuiab Manjra, the Centurion biobubble has had to follow extremely strict safety protocols.
South Africa’s ODI series against England in Cape Town earlier this month was called off due to various coronavirus fears at both camps and ensuring this two-round series runs smoothly is imperative for Cricket South Africa.
For that to happen, sacrifices have had to be made during a time of year when companionship is often commonplace.
The Proteas lost two players who tested positive for the virus before entering Irene’s biobubble, but have since undergone four rounds of testing that have seen all players test negative.
It seems that, for now, everything is going well and now they are training as a full group.
Speaking on Christmas Eve before the first test at SuperSport Park, Boucher opened up to life in the bubble and while he said it was a comfortable life, he also acknowledged some frustrations.
“It’s very comfortable. It’s a great place,” he said.
“There’s a nice dam around here and the guys have been fishing a bit. I always like to fish with a partner by my side, but we can’t do that so the guys have been fishing alone.
“We also have a golf simulator installed for us, so it’s good for guys who like to play golf. It gets a little frustrating that there are Centurion Lakes and Irene (golf courses) right next door and you don’t. I can play with them, but this is the kind of thing we have to do to get some cricket and as a coach I will certainly drive that. “
Australia is scheduled to arrive in South Africa for three tests in March and while Boucher and the players are prepared to do their best to ensure the tour runs smoothly, he also pointed to the fact that his priority was coaching the team. team.
“I don’t like micromanaging. There are people who have been placed to do certain jobs. My job is to train the team … it is not my job to control the biosecure environment,” he said.
“We receive information from our medical staff on what they believe is the best and safest way for this tour to take place.
“Do I want to play cricket? Absolutely. There is no cricket in South Africa right now, which is disturbing. We want the best for the players and to bring them to the field.”
“I want the guys to play, so if we have to go through certain hoops and strict things so that we can play a cricket match, then we have to and I will handle it from the coach’s perspective.
“These guys are cricketers and they are judged by how they play in the park and we have to start to realize that. I know there are a lot of other things going on right now, but these guys are cricketers and they want to play cricket and perform. That’s where they are right now. “
Saturday’s game starts at 10:00.
