Adams: CWI recognises covid19 ‘bubble’ life affects players

Jimmy Adams -
Jimmy Adams -

CRICKET West Indies (CWI) director of cricket Jimmy Adams has said the regional cricket body recognises that strict covid19 protocols can affect players while touring.

West Indies have been one of the busiest international cricket teams during the covid19 pandemic. The upcoming Bangladesh tour, which takes place from January 20 to February 15, will be the regional team’s third tour since the middle of 2020.

West Indies toured England in June and July for a three-match Test series, before touring New Zealand in November and December for three T20 matches and two Tests.

Adams, speaking to journalists on Zoom on Tuesday, said, “You mention life in the bubble. It is something that CWI has recognised can affect players. To that end, both (on) the England tour and this tour coming up to Bangladesh, part of the touring party will be a sports psychologist who will actually tour, as opposed to staying in the Caribbean…we are still in relatively early stages of what effect this type of lifestyle and touring will have on players.”

During the tours, the Windies players are faced with quarantine and other strict covid19 protocols.

In the England series, they lived in a “bubble” and were confined to their hotel when they were not playing matches or training. West Indies toured England for approximately seven weeks.

Several players have chosen not to tour Bangladesh.

On Tuesday, a CWI media release said, “The following players declined the opportunity to tour due to covid19-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.”

Bangladesh, a country with a population of 165,496,450, has recorded 511,261 cases of covid19, with 7,509 deaths as of Tuesday.

Communication with players is crucial during these unique times, Adams said. “It is something that we are gathering data (on) tour by tour as we go along, through feedback from players. But at the very least having that type of expertise in the person of a sport psychologist on hand for the players is something that... should help, should there be any issues on tour.” Donald LaGuerre was the team psychologist for the tour of England.

Comments

"Adams: CWI recognises covid19 ‘bubble’ life affects players"

More in this section