Cricket West Indies announced a 14 manned squad for its England Tour which is currently awaiting permission from UK government. The 14 manned squad will land in England to defend Wisden Trophy in three test matches starting from 8 July.
The West Indies tour of England would be first international series post COVID-19. Cricket West Indies (CWI) has also announced a list of 11 players as reserved players for the tour.
The Test Series would begin from 8 July at Ageas Bowl stadium in Southampton but the West Indies team will reach a month before the series to serve mandatory quarantine period in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Announcing the team, CWI’s main selector Roger Harper said the four week period will help the team to adapt the environment.
“The new cricketing environment will take some getting used to. However, being in England and working together for four weeks before the first Test will give the squad the opportunity to get acclimatized and hopefully, mentally and technically adjusted to the demands of the new environment. Playing in July could be a blessing as the weather is likely to be warmer which will allow the squad more of an opportunity to play its best cricket,” CWI website quoted Harper as saying.
Three players opt out
Cricket West Indies website further noted that three Windies players have declined the invitation for touring England citing COVID-19 crisis as a reason.
“Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer and Keemo Paul all declined the invitation to travel to England for the tour and CWI fully respects their decision to choose to do so. As previously stated, CWI will not hold this decision against these players when considering future selection,” CWI website informed.
The Squad
Squad: Jason Holder, Kraigg Brathwaite, Shai Hope, Shane Dowrich, Roston Chase, Shemarh Brooks, Rahkeem Cornwall, Nkrumah Bonner, Alzarri Joseph, Chemar Holder, John Campbell, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach, Jermaine Blackwood and Shannon Gabriel.
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