Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced that it is continuing its discussions with the England & Wales Cricket Board rounding details for the upcoming Test tour of England. CWI is in constant contact with the ECB to understand the plans for the three match series.
There has been positive ongoing dialogue between CWI and the ECB – discussions are wide-ranging around the revised schedules, the day-to-day execution, cricket operations and COVID-19 medical and biosecurity planning to reach an outcome of when international cricket could potentially return whilst ensuring player and staff safety. This is a long and detailed process.
CWI’s CEO, Johnny Grave confirmed that 30 players have been identified as part of the preparations for the tour. The CWI Selection panel was asked to help earmark a group of players who may make up the squad to England for logistical and medical purposes.
He however added that this is not the official squad for the Test Series.
CWI has also stated its intentions to make a formal announcement of the squad at a later date once the tour has been confirmed. The Jamaica Gleaner Newspaper has however indicated that it has been informed that the players have already been contacted by CWI selectors and asked to make themselves available for selection. They were briefed on the new measures and changes should the bio-secure Test take place in July because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the Gleaner the West Indies England Tour Provisional Squad is as follows: Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, John Campbell, Marquino Mindley and Paul Palmer Jr of Jamaica; Daren Bravo, Joshua da Silva, Shannon Gabriel and Anderson Phillip of Trinidad & Tobago; Sunil Ambris and Preston McSween from the Windwards; Rahkeem Cornwall, Jahmar Hamilton and Alzarri Joseph of the Leewards; Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul and Veerasammy Permaul from Guyana, as well as Kraigg Brathwaite, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich, Keon Harding, Jason Holder, Chemar Holder, Shai Hope, Kyle Mayers, Shayne Mosely, Kemar Roach and Jomel Warrican of Barbados.
The list of 30 players is to help CWI’s Cricket Operations and Medical Departments, who are working assiduously to plan for the potential travel to the United Kingdom, as CWI needs to be aware of all home territories which players will embark and understand their respective current COVID-19 testing capabilities, as well as ensure that visas and relevant documentations are secured.
Meanwhile, all contracted West Indies players and those on territorial contracts have continued their training and fitness routines under the guidance of the CWI Medical and Fitness staff. Players were given programmes and are being monitored on a frequent basis by Head Coach Phil Simmons; Denis Byam, the Physiotherapist, and Ronald Rogers, the Strength & Conditioning Coach.
WICK