New Zealand Bans West Indies Cricket Squad From Training After Breaching The Quarantine Protocol

West Indies cricket squad will not be allowed to train in New Zealand after they have been caught breaching the quarantine code of conduct. New Zealand health authorities have found CCTV footages of the some West Indies cricketers belonging to separate bubbles mingling and sharing meals.

As a punishment, they are not allowed to train in New Zealand and will have to stay in their hotel rooms under quarantine till Friday.

“It’s a huge blow to our preparation,” Cricket West Indies chief executive Johnny Grave was quoted as saying by Australian Associated Press on Wednesday.

Johnny Grave further added that Cricket West Indies (CWI) will look into the matter and conduct an investigation regarding the breach.

“We’ve written to our players to emphasise the importance of following the protocols,” he said.

“My disappointment is our players are the maybe the most experienced in the world at dealing with these strict quarantine measures,” he added, referring to their recent tour of England conducted in similar situations.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) further released a statement saying that they sully support and accepts the ban issued by the New Zealand Ministry of Health.

“The New Zealand Ministry of Health has advised us that all members of the West Indies touring party will now be unable to train for the remainder of the quarantine period and will have to complete their quarantine within the Managed Isolation Facility only. CWI is in full support of the New Zealand Ministry of Health’s position,” the statement read.

“From the information, we have received so far, we have been told that the incidents in question included some players compromising the bubble integrity by mixing between two separate West Indies bubbles into which the touring party had been split, by sharing food and socialising in hallways. There is no evidence, or suggestion, that any members of the touring party left the facility, or that any unauthorised persons accessed it,” it added.

West Indies are currently on New Zealand Tour, where they are scheduled to play three T20Is and two Tests, starting from November 27.