The Independent Voice of West Indies Cricket

Physio's report describes fitness, training mutiny

Mon, Apr 16, '07

 

WICB Under Scrutiny

CaribbeanCricket.com Exclusive:

This verbatim report, penned by West Indies team physiotherapist Stephen Partridge after the 2006 home series, provides evidence of an astonishing breakdown in communication between the coaching staff and the team on the issue of fitness, training and diet.

At one point during the 2006 home series, the players demanded that the intense physical training program be cancelled, forcing the coaching staff into a no-win situation when trying to manage in-season injuries. The report is published verbatim (typos included) but we have deleted information detailing personal injuries and illnesses.

 Physical Preparedness

At the commencement of the series against Zimbabwe, we had many players with minor niggles and soft tissue issues that were initially sustained in the series in New Zealand some 6 weeks previous. Further to this as in all past series where the players were assembled after a period apart, a number of weeks were spent playing ‘catch up’ on base physical fitness and soft tissue rehabilitation.

It is very obvious that much of the programs prescribed (rehab and strength and conditioning) are not followed or poorly completed. As a consequence when assembled squad training is undertaken and an assumption of compliance with physical programs is erroneously made, the end result is further soft tissue pathologies and player complaints of training being too hard and wholly responsible for injuries. The primary contributing factor is however the inconsistent physical loading applied when an individual attempts to go from complete rest into a full training environment.

Recommendations

Require Rehab/Strength and Conditioning Co-ordinators in each region that the athletes are required to report to and undertake prescribed work. Retainer contracts that specifically indicate player obligations to undertake this work as directed.

During the current series a players meeting in St Lucia (May 06) concluded that the physical loading being undertaken was too excessive and that hence forth this should be largely cancelled. The players concluded that the amount and intensity of work was responsible for injury and general player fatigue. The decree was presented in such that to have not acquiesced would have made further relations with the group untenable.

The point that unfortunately no player quite grasped was that most of the simpler injuries (soft tissue) were due to the lack of pre tour personal physical preparation and not the in series work. It was interesting to note during discussions with our Indian counterparts that their players were undertaking 7-10 day physical preparation camps as a separate entity to cricket specific skills work.

In moving in this direction we now have only the assumption that players will follow their prescribed programs when apart from the group. Every indicator to date has suggested that the majority of the group will have poor adherence. There also continues to be no regional monitoring or assistance facility in place.

FACILITIES

Guyana

Accommodation; Pegasus Meredien. Without any great knowledge of what other alternatives exist in Georgetown the Pegasus is probably the only viable option. But (there is always a but), the beds are very small and of poor quality. Pillows are again poor with multiple individuals complaining of morning neck/back stiffness.

Ground Facilities; Bourda - In the knowledge that this is the last time that this facility will be used but as an indicator of what is required in the new facility. There is no devoted therapy or treatment area. No treatment table. No immediate access to ice. Toilet/shower facilities very very poor. The water is often turned off. Simply put these facilities are not suitable.

Jamaica

Accomodation; Pegasus. It is probable that this will be our base for the World Cup in 2007. At present the rooms/beds etc are of reasonable standard. The in house food is average (quality and variety) and will be an issue with a prolonged stay such as with the World Cup. Breakfast in particular is fairly limited in scope.

Ground Facilities; Sabina Park. Again in the knowledge that these are temporary facilities but as an indicator of what not to do. There is no devoted therapy area, no treatment table, very cramped space with very poor facility for the players to relax. Dressing room as a whole is not very private. Viewing area too exposed, no devoted analyse/video capture area. Dressing room floor is very dangerous with all tiled floor, highly slippery once wet and is always wet in some form.

Recommendation; During World Cup preparation perhaps look at selected amount of time training playing away from Kingston. That is to break up the monotony of what will be a long stay at the Pegasus. Look at providing for the whole group, suites as possible to allow for greater living space. Establish permanent team recreation room for duration of stay with movie capacity, Playstation, pool/table tennis table etc. It is possible that a local business could assist in setting this up.

Refer to operational list attached for dressing room minimum requirements. Ensure new room does not have a tiled floor. Look to type of matting utilized at St Kitts as best practice guide.

St Lucia

Accommodation; Rex St Lucian. No room service available on check in after travel day. Room service for further days had to be negotiated. Many of the in room air conditioners either do not work or work loudly and or poorly. Quality of beds/pillows only fair. No internet access. Poor gym facility. Pool is adequate. In general one of if not the poorest facility we use within the Caribbean. Received multiple unofficial complaints from touring Indian management.

Recommendation; Must seek alternative accommodation. The Rex is not suitable

Ground facilities; Again as in the 05 home series, the dressing room and room attendant services were in my opinion the best in the region. I would defer to Bryce Cavanagh as to the quality of the food/drink provided, but in terms of my requirements (devoted area, treatment table, immediate access to ice) the general provision was good. My only concern as previous and consistent with most venues was the lack of an identified medical officer.

Recommendation; Require nominated medical officer.

St Kitts

Accommodation; Marriott. Excellent. Only small criticism is isolated nature of facility.

Ground; Dressing room very good. Player viewing area private and comfortable. Has devoted therapy area in room but with limited view of playing arena. Would suggest needs further television monitor/s in room. Baths as included in development are excellent.

Antigua

Accommodation; Jolly Beach. Poor quality. Rooms/beds/pillows are dated and well past their best. Food is not suitable for professional athletes.

Ground; ARG. Again in the knowledge that this is the last time at this ground but as a not how to do it indicator. The dressing room is far too small, there is no devoted treatment area or treatment table. Viewing area is congested and affords a generally poor view. Access to ice is slow. No baths available.

MEDICAL OFFICERS

Again through the regions it was often very difficult to determine who was the designated WICB Medical Officer. As per discussions with Dr Mansingh and Zorol Bartley I would ask that a schedule of preferred WICB doctors was determined and that this list be widely published.

Further on match days that this person or a nominated colleague make themselves known prior to the start of play (approx 30 min). I feel it is a base duty of care that we have a qualified and designated medical officer at every days play. I also understand that at present there is no remuneration made available. This situation needs to be reviewed.

During the course of the St Kitts and Jamaican games (ODI and Test) Dr Mansingh was readily available and valuable in accessing investigative tools in establishing player diagnosis and prognosis. This type of medical service access should be our norm.

MASSAGE THERAPY

Again due to financial constraints Massage Therapy was not utilized during this series.

Recommendation; Massage Therapy is I feel an essential part of physical recovery. I would highly recommend that a Massage Therapist be included as part of the World Cup Support Staff. That is, as a permanent member of the squad.

INDIVIDUAL PLAYER SUMMARY

Player

Injury & Management

Barbados

Tino Best

Nil issues

 

Dwayne Smith

(Injury/illness information deleted)

Comment; Right shoulder at issue end of NZ tour fully resolved. EIA still intermittent issue. Currently using ventolin prn. Dwayne is one of our best trainers but continues to have chest tightness (EIA?) with high end aerobic work. He has been instructed to use his medications and concentrate on settling his chest symptoms when they occur rather than try and push through the tightness. He has been very honest in reporting his chest problems as they occur. Nil other physical issues.

 

Pedro Collins

(Injury/illness information deleted)

Comment; Has obviously been completing levels of preparation work in excess of that previously. Still through own admission had ceased working as hard in last month prior to selection. Greatest single issue in recommending Pedro particularly for Test cricket continues to be his physical preparedness. Has in some way began to address that through this current series but needs to maintain and increase off field work.

 

Fidel Edwards

(Injury/illness information deleted)

Comment: Fidel as in the home series of 05 sustained a right hamstring injury. All be it in a different part of the lateral hamstring. In conjunction with Bryce Cavanagh the plan is to incorporate more short high velocity loading in his program with a particular emphasis on eccentric loading ie; rapid acceleration/deceleration drills. Unfortunately Fidel did not undertake the bowling loads required before the 4th Test and I was therefore unable to recommend him as fully fit. The lower limb (MTSS) have been somewhat alleviated with the new orthotics. I have also asked Fidel to report any planned changes in footwear. His lumbar spine was not at issue during this series.

 

Ian Bradshaw

(Injury/illness information deleted)

Comment: Apart from general soreness after a marathon bowling effort in the 1st Test, Ian has chronic left ankle and knee issues primarily related to FFI. Neither of these should require time out from training or games but will require monitoring and regular treatment.

 

Corey Collymore

(Injury/illness information deleted)

Comment: Has been able to return well after knee surgery. Still requires to further improve base leg strength and muscle hypertrophy. Generally very good result. Right shoulder still ongoing issue. Awaiting scan results (MRI contrast) before considering management options. To be advised.



Trinidad

Brian Lara

(Injury/illness information deleted)

Comment: Copes far better physically with Test cricket than ODI. Chronic lumbar and right hamstring/hip problems flared during ODI’’s but were able to be controlled during Tests. Continues with modified physical program (Bryce).

 

Dwayne Bravo

Comment: As per concerns forwarded earlier, I believe that Dwayne needs to be bowling on a more regular basis. His loads at present are too episodic and will in my opinion have a greater potential for injury. His approach to bowling training is minimalistic. I have spoken with him in regard to this and detailed what I believe to be appropriate volumes. I also have concerns that he has largely moved away from adhering to his prescribed physical program (Bryce).

His diet is also of major concern, consisting of much sugar and little else. Whether he truly believes some of his foundation beliefs (sugar is energy, I need to rest not bowl etc) or that these are just for path of least resistance. We need to be consistent in our messages concerning his approach to training and diet. I suspect any gains will be gradual and will directly linked to the level of support we gain from his fellow countryman and patron.

 



Dave Mohammed

L knee. Landed directly on ball after attempting catch during 1st Test. (Injury/illness information deleted). Nil long term issues.

Comment: Diet fairly poor. But has been able to access Bryce re; correct approaches and appeared keen to take on board.Nil other issues.

 

Darren Ganga

(Injury/illness information deleted)

Comment: Darren took several hits to each hand during the course of the series. This had some small impact on his fielding during the latter part of the 3rd and 4th Tests. It did not impact on his batting. Whilst these are minor problems, this type of joint injury is easily irritated with contact and typically slow to fully settle. Nil other issues.

 

Denesh Ramdin

(Injury/illness information deleted).

Comment:Denesh as is the case with a number of our athletes does his best work after being dropped and looking to re establish himself in the team. Once returned to the fold he lets his work ethic drop. His return to the Test team on this occasion has in my opinion seen a better approach to his work and he has been told and encouraged to continue doing so.

Jamaica

Chris Gayle

(Injury/illness information deleted)

Comment: In terms of his physical preparation and recovery strategies, Chris has made a few small progressions. He still can however be very inconsistent in his approach. At present he has no injury or pathology that will exclude him from undertaking his S & C program in full.

 

Marlon Samuels

(Injury/illness information deleted).

Comment: Marlon continues to be excluded from certain activities (beep tests) in an effort to limit issues in his right knee. Nil other issues.

 

Jerome Taylor

(Injury/illness information deleted)

Comment: Jerome was able to work fully through the whole series without issue from the hamstring injury sustained during the NZ tour. His lumbar spine (past Hx stress #’s) was not at issue. I understand that Jerome has been withdrawn from the upcoming A series tour to the UK because of concerns re his value to the team and risk of injury.

This is contrary to the advise that I provided to the selectors. It is my opinion that he be best served in an environment where team operations (A tour) can control his bowling volume and further his conditioning through direct supervision with Bryce. Bowling volume, or more specifically regulation of a consistent volume is one of the key indicators for pathology, particularly so in a 23yr old fast bowler with a history of back injury.

I believe the A series is a perfect opportunity for Jerome to further his physical development and further reduce his risk of overuse injury. The tour also allows for a 4-6 week rest window at completion. With him now not touring he must find a way of completing his bowling load and physical program load requirements in rural Jamaica. A requirement that recent history and poor facilities access would indicate is highly problematic.

If he attempts to commence the 2 ½ month tour of the subcontinent in late September not having completed a regular bowling protocol he is at much greater risk of pathology. In this instance by giving in to this request (Captain’s) I feel we have lent credence to the player ethos that complete rest is the best curative and that any sustained work is the sole reason for injury. When every piece of evidence we possess indicates the opposite to be true.

 

Carlton Baugh

(Injury/illness information deleted). Nil specific issues

Comment: I found Carlton to be very active in seeking answers as to how he can better himself in terms of physical performance and recovery.

Nil other significant physical issues

 

Wavell Hinds

Nil issues current

 

Guyana


Sewnarine Chattergoon

Nil issues current

 

Ramnaresh Sarwan

(Injury/illness information deleted).

Comment: Ronnie continues to have a number of chronic issues (shoulder, ankles, weight?) that require along term approach to rectify. Unfortunately to date his approach has been periodic short term enthusiasm followed by longer periods of inactivity.

If he is to improve these chronic issues his approach to programs provided needs to be regular and highly consistent.

Shiv Chanderpaul

(Injury/illness information deleted).

Comment: Shiv continues to have small soft tissue pathologies (hams/quads/ankle/forearm) that would best benefit from a more graduated approach to training. He like many in the group will move from a complete rest phase into heavy training and then blame the training for injury.

I have spoken at length to Shiv about a more graduated approach. Limiting his distance running (he likes this but his shins do not) and concentrate more on shorter sharper power based efforts. And within this apply the program timetable that Bryce has provided.

Leewards


Renako Morton

 (Injury/illness information deleted).

Comment: Had only limited playing time. Nil significant issues.