England has made a decision to prioritise players’ mental health this summer says limited-overs captain, Eoin Morgan. The series against West Indies, Pakistan, Ireland and Australia were played in bio-secure bubbles and without crowds. Players and staff were regularly
tested for COVID-19 and spent several weeks living in hotels at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester and the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.
“At the beginning when cricket looked unlikely during the strictest of lockdown periods, we talked about playing in the bubble and the strain it would take on everybody,” said Morgan.
The captain said the direction and stipulation for that was given by Director of Cricket, Ashley Giles. Morgan said Giles is a strong believer in the concept that good relationships start from the top and filters down to everybody else. “Ash said at the forefront all of our
thinking is everyone’s well being and that was key for all the players,” added Morgan.
Morgan, who is currently with Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League, said his role is quite significant when it comes to mindfulness and the issue of mental health. Morgan stated there was a strong focus on players returning to fitness when full lockdown
restrictions were lifted in the UK.