10 West Indies Players Opt Out of Bangladesh Tour Due to Covid-19 Concerns

The Cricket West Indies (CWI), on Tuesday, announced the Test and ODI squads for the upcoming Bangladesh tour. West Indies are scheduled to play 3 ODIs and 2 Tests in Chattogram and Dhaka. The team is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on January 10 and the series will run until February 15.

Meanwhile, in a shocking revelation, the Windies selection panel stated that as many as 10 players have opted out of the month-long tour to Asian country due to COVID-19 related concerns.

These include the likes of Test skipper Jason Holder, Kieron Pollard, Sheldon Cottrell, Evin Lewis, Roston Chase, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran.

Out of the 10 players mentioned above, Test skipper Jason Holder has been in the COVID-19 bubble for the longest as he participated in the Caribbean Premier League, Indian Premier League, New Zealand tour and is currently in Australia for the Big Bash League.

“The following players declined the opportunity to tour due to COVID-19 related concerns or personal fears: Jason Holder, Kieron Pollard, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran. Fabian Allen and Shane Dowrich are unavailable due to personal reasons,” Cricket West Indies (CWI) said in its official release.

“The CWI COVID-19 policy allows any player to opt out of selection for an overseas tour, only when based on the player’s own safety fears or concerns. Such decisions will not impact their consideration for future selection,” it added.

Notably, in the absence of Jason Holder, experienced opener Kraigg Brathwaite will lead the Test side, while Jermaine Blackwood is assigned the role of vice-captain. The ODI team will be led by Jason Mohammed while Sunil Ambris is appointed as the vice-captain of the ODI team.

The right-handed batsman Kavem Hodge, has earned a maiden call-up in the Test squad, while left-handed opener Shayne Moseley and all-rounder Kyle Mayers will be touring in the Test squad for the first time, after making trips to England and New Zealand as reserves this year.

“Kavem Hodge, the right-handed top-order batsman, has earned a maiden call-up in the Test squad; while left-handed opener Shayne Moseley and all-rounder Kyle Mayers will be touring in the Test squad for the first time, after making trips to England and New Zealand as reserves this year.

“Mayers made his T20I debut against New Zealand last month. Two players have earned their first call-ups for the ODI squad — Akeal Hosein, a left-arm spinner allrounder; and Kjorn Ottley, a left-handed top-order batsman,” the media release added.

West Indies Test Squad:

Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Jermaine Blackwood (vc), Nkrumah Bonner, John Campbell, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Kavem Hodge, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Shayne Moseley, Veerasammy Permaul, Kemar Roach, Raymon Reifer, Jomel Warrican.

West Indies ODI Squad:

Jason Mohammed (c), Sunil Ambris (vc), Nkrumah Bonner, Joshua Da Silva, Jahmar Hamilton, Chemar Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Andre McCarthy, Kjorn Ottley, Rovman Powell, Raymon Reifer, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh Jr.

Tour Schedule

January 10: West Indies arrive
January 18: One-day warm-up match, BKSP, Savar
January 20: 1st ODI, SBNCS, Dhaka
January 22: 2nd ODI, SBNCS, Dhaka
January 25: 3rd ODI, ZACS, Chattogram
January 28-31: Four-day warm-up, M.A. Aziz Stadium, Chattogram
February 3-7: 1st Test Match, ZACS, Chattogram
February 11-15: 2nd Test Match, SBNCS, Dhaka