ECB confirm seven training venues for England players

The Kia Oval, Emirates Old Trafford, the 1st Central County Ground in Hove, Edgbaston, the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton, Trent Bridge and Emirates Riverside will all be used from Thursday

As many as 18 bowlers will return to individualised training programmes at seven county venues from Thursday.

The ECB had intended for the group of players - who have yet to be formally named, but will include those with red-ball central contracts as England look ahead to a proposed Test series against West Indies from July 8 - to come back to training earlier in the week.

However, the process of ensuring each of the venues was fit for purpose under the government's guidelines for elite athletes caused a minor delay, as well as discussions with counties over the unfurloughing of those members of staff needed to prepare the ground and oversee sessions.

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The Kia Oval, Emirates Old Trafford, the 1st Central County Ground in Hove, Edgbaston, the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton, Trent Bridge and Emirates Riverside will all be used from Thursday.

The returning bowlers will have access to a designated physio on site at each venue, with ECB coaches set to be available from next week. Some coaches from the county network will be seconded to help with the programme.

From June 1, the batsmen and wicketkeepers will resume training, with a further four venues around the country likely to be opened up to accommodate them. 

The ECB are set to announce who is in the training party towards the end of next week.