London: England fast bowler Stuart Broad said that the UK government will have a big role to play in dictating the return of cricket in the country post the coronavirus pandemic.
Broad however said that he personally does not feel nervous about playing whenever he is needed to.
“Cricket will literally be governed by the government. It’s not as though the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) are going to have to be lone wolves and decide when we get back out there,” Broad is quoted as saying by Daily Mail.
“The government will give the go-ahead and then us players will have to make sure we are in the physical capability to get match fit. I know how I feel about not seeing live sport and I know how much joy live sports brings me. So the players’ responsibility is to make sure we are ready to go at the drop of a hat,” he said.
Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero had said that many footballers were nervous to get back to playing because of the threat of the virus. Broad however said that he trusts medical staff fully and is not nervous because of that.
“I know everyone feels very differently about this. Sergio Aguero has been talking about how nervous the players would be. Personally, I wouldn’t be,” said Broad. “I have huge faith in our medical team at the ECB. I have known Nick Peirce, the chief medical officer, for a long, long time and I have full faith in what he and his team believe is right for cricket.
“Yes, we all want to see cricket being played whether it is behind closed doors and just on TV or in front of spectators. And I know that the England doctors I’ve worked with over a long period of time would not cut corners to make it happen. “So if one of Nick or Gurjit Bhogal, our current England team doctor, rings and tells me ‘I think this is a good way to do it,’ I will 100 per cent trust what they are saying.”Broad, a right-arm seam bowler and left-handed batsman, is England’s second highest wicket taker in Test cricket. (IANS)
