Yo-Yo Score for Most International Teams is Higher than that of BCCI

The benchmark for passing the much-debated yo-yo test for most international teams is higher than that the BCCI has laid, a recent report in Mumbai Mirror suggests.

Meanwhile, the reports also state it is the lowest among all the top teams. Pakistan, however, who was not a great advertiser of fitness a few years back also have a higher benchmark.

England and New Zealand have 19 as much as Australia had set before discontinuing it about four years ago. For the South African players, it is 18.5, and for the Sri Lankans, it is 17.4. Pakistan have also set the benchmark for passing the test at 17.4.

“We’ve taken it to 17.4,” Mickey Arthur, Pakistan head coach, confirmed.

Since Arthur took over the reign of the Pakistan team, he has put extreme emphasis on fitness levels. So much so, that he left Umar Akmal from the squad citing fitness reasons.

A spokesperson from England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) also confirmed that minimum number is 19 for the players. Furthermore, a source close to the South African team revealed it varies from player to player.

“There is no standard pass mark. Each player is given/sets their own personal benchmark that they have to pass. It is definitely higher than 16 though,” the spokesperson said.

Cricket Australia, meanwhile, had discontinued the Yo-Yo test some four years ago. However, they had a benchmark of 19 confirmed Greg Chappell, head of one of the excellence centres.

“We stopped using the Yo-Yo 4-5 years ago. It was not considered a reliable enough measure for what we wanted. We use the 2 kilometre time trial these days,” he said.

Quite contrary to that, India had a benchmark of 16.1 for its players. However, they increased it to 16.3 on the recommendation of coach Ravi Shastri, last week.

Most recently, Mohammed Shami, Ambati Rayudu, and Sanju Samson failed to clear the test and was left out of the squad.

However, it is not that all the players are lacking in fitness. Virat Kohli has, of course, raised the bar in fitness to a new level while some youngsters have also clocked 19 in the Yo-Yo.

Also read: Alex Hales still sees himself as England’s ‘fringe’ cricketer