Mark Boucher: CSA to include fitness clauses in player contracts

Cricket South Africa will pencil in fitness clauses so that a minimum standard is maintained for team selection.

Players need to keep their discipline, says Mark Boucher.

South Africa head coach Mark Boucher on Wednesday said Cricket South Africa (CSA) will pencil in fitness clauses into player contracts in the future so that a minimum standard is maintained for team selection.

“Guys need to keep up their fitness because we will be inserting new fitness clauses in contracts,” Boucher confirmed via an audio statement released by CSA. “In the recent past we have seen that players who are not fit enough don’t get selected. They are professionals and they need to do what they have to do.”

South Africa was in India for a three-match ODI series which got cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Boucher feels that, so far, the Board’s plans have not been hampered to a great degree by the lockdown.

Time off

“The plan was always to give the guys some time off to spend with the family. It also gives them the chance to get over a few niggles. The first two or three weeks is always key, to refresh physically and mentally. We have put in some programmes around the house for the guys to keep them fit and strong. They need to keep their discipline. There will be testing after the lockdown period.”

South Africa’s next tour in Sri Lanka in June will be for a limited-overs series.