Cricket

Cricket is played competitively in summer and while it is a game of skill, it also involves extended periods of time spent playing, often in very challenging, hot conditions.

Teams are made up of batsmen and bowlers, a wicket keeper and possibly some all-rounders. Competition is structured as either:

Twenty20 fixtures, which involve one innings (maximum 20 overs) per side;
Limited over (one-day) games, which also involve one innings (maximum 50 overs) per side, or;
4-5 day games (Test matches) which involve 2 innings per side.

Elite cricketers can have a busy training schedule with multiple sessions throughout the day, while amateur cricket players usually train after hours. The intensity of sessions can range from low to very high, depending on the training goals of that session. Cricketers of any level need to focus on nutrient-dense foods such as cereals, fruit, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, lean meat/poultry/fish or vegetarian alternatives. The timing of meals also needs to be well planned to coincide with recovery between sessions. Hydration is another issue to consider as many matches are played under the hot sun and, in the case of test matches, games are played over 4-5 days, which can lead to cumulative dehydration if not monitored and managed well.