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England opener Dom Sibley reveals he lost almost two stone during lockdown
Dom Sibley has revealed that he lost almost two stone in lockdown after seeing the fitness work put in by senior England colleagues during his first winter as a Test cricketer.
Sibley played six matches in New Zealand and South Africa this winter, averaging over 40 and scoring an impressive maiden century in Cape Town.
He impressed with his obdurate style opening the batting, and was nicknamed the “Fridge” by team-mates due to his taller physique and fuller frame. But it was seeing senior players putting in the hard yards on the aborted tour of Sri Lanka in March that persuaded him to slim down.
“I've been working quite hard in lockdown and I feel as lot fitter,” Sibley said from the Ageas Bowl. “Because of social distancing we haven't been able to do stuff like skin folds but on the scales I've lost 12kg.
“I don't feel much different to be honest. People have said I look different, which is nice, but in terms of batting it's a case of doing what I've always tried to go – try to bat long periods and hopefully being a bit fitter will help me do that.
“Being in Sri Lanka for the first time in my career I felt a little bit self-conscious about my physique and my weight, just seeing how fit some of the senior guys are and how impressive they are in training. I just remember sitting on the plane thinking I need to do something, especially during lockdown when we couldn't improve anything cricket-related. It was an opportunity for me to improve that side of my game and I'm glad to have been able to stick to it.
“I saw a few of the lads running after a big session and that was an eye-opener for me. I've had taps on the shoulder before and haven't really done anything about it. I think it was overdue having that wake up call and a good lesson for me, regardless of whether it leads to runs. In lockdown I had to get that tough graft in the banks because I couldn't get any cricket in.
Sibley, who is set to open the batting with Rory Burns in the First Test on Wednesday, says he hopes that his cricket will reap the benefits of his change in lifestyle.
“I think we all like a little treat after a few runs but it's great to be a bit more disciplined,” he said. “It's been tough, but it's good to feel the benefits now.
“I've always been someone who hasn't necessarily been the fittest in the squad and I've always, whether at Surrey or Warwickshire, been coasting in that aspect. I have always prided myself in training really hard on my batting but maybe that side has not been something I have done to the best of my ability.”
