CWI gives green light for England tour

CRICKET West Indies (CWI) has given the green light "in principle" for the West Indies three-match Test tour of England, expected to start in July.

After months of speculation, CWI is comfortable with the covid19 measures in place and is willing to send its players to England.

The CWI decision was finalised at a board of directors teleconference, on Thursday. CWI will now have to liaise with the relevant authorities throughout the Caribbean to facilitate the process of getting all the Windies players to Antigua. The 25-man West Indies squad will meet in Antigua within the next two weeks, before taking a chartered flight to England.

The Ministry of National Security in TT will have to facilitate the process in getting the TT players to Antigua.

According to a media release, CWI said it was satisfied with the discussions held with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) concerning the England tour.

“The decision comes only after CWI medical and cricket-related representatives and advisers have been involved in detailed discussions with the ECB and their own medical and public health advisers.”

President of CWI Ricky Skerritt was happy with the progress made at the meeting. “In addition to our approval in principle of the proposed Test tour of England, we made some significant financial management decisions that will be announced and implemented in due course.”

The release said the necessary safety measures are being put in place for the tour.

“These discussions involve the local and international logistics and protocols which are already being put in place to minimise risk and optimise the health and safety of all concerned. CWI has also received and reviewed detailed plans for players and staff to be kept in a bio-secure environment for the duration of the tour, with all matches being played behind closed doors.”

The first Test will be played at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton, with the second and third Test set for Old Trafford, Manchester. The CWI and the ECB are aiming for a July 8 start to the series. The Windies players are also expected to spend two weeks in quarantine on arrival in England.

The United Kingdom (UK) is greatly affected by the virus with over 270,000 cases and over 38,000 deaths.

A number of the Windies players have resumed training this week in preparation for the tour under strict covid19 guidelines. Captain Jason Holder, along with fellow Barbadians Kraigg Brathwaite, Shai Hope, Kemar Roach, Shane Dowrich, Shamarh Brooks and Raymon Reifer resumed training at Kensington Oval, on Monday.

The Antiguan pair of Alzarri Joseph and Rahkeem Cornwall also trained this week at the Coolidge Cricket Ground.

The release said, “CWI will continue to fine-tune the various arrangements with the ECB, whilst they await final UK Government approval of their plans for a bio-secure tour.”