Covid19 hits Windies camp in Bangladesh

COVID19 has hit the West Indies tour of Bangladesh as leg spinner Hayden Walsh Jnr has tested positive.

A Cricket West Indies (CWI) media release on Thursday, said, “Following PCR tests administered on Wednesday, January 13, CWI can confirm that Hayden Walsh Jnr has tested positive for covid19 and will now undergo a period of self-isolation.”

The release added, “The Leeward Islands and West Indies leg-spinner, who is asymptomatic, first returned a negative test result on arrival into Bangladesh on the weekend, and then had a positive return on his test in Dhaka yesterday (Wednesday). This result was verified by a second positive test today (Thursday).”

West Indies are currently in Bangladesh to play a three-match ODI series and a two-match Test series.

Walsh is the second player in the last few weeks to test positive since the squads were announced on December 29. Fast bowler Romario Shepherd returned a positive test days after being selected on the ODI team for the Bangladesh tour. Shepherd was still in his home country of Guyana when he tested positive.

The Windies players were staying in separate rooms since arriving in Bangladesh at the end of last week.

“The West Indies touring squad has been in individual isolation since arriving in Bangladesh and so there has been no contact between squad members since arrival. In accordance with the established medical protocols, Walsh remained isolated from the West Indies squad and is now under the care and supervision of the team physician, Dr Praimanand​ Singh.”

The leg spinner has been ruled out of the series.

“Walsh will remain in isolation until he returns two negative PCR test results and therefore is unavailable to play in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Bangladesh. All other members of the West Indies touring squad returned second negative covid19 tests, after undergoing four tests within the last 11 days.”

West Indies will play Bangladesh in the ODI series from next Wednesday to January 25, followed by the Test series from February 3 to 15.

Several senior players declined to tour because of covid19 and personal fear.

A CWI media release on December 29, 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. Fabian Allen and Shane Dowrich are unavailable due to personal reasons.”

Full Tour Schedule:

January 18: One-day warm-up match, BKSP, SavarJanuary 20 1st ODI, SBNCS, DhakaJanuary 22: 2nd ODI, SBNCS, DhakaJanuary 25: 3rd ODI, ZACS, ChattogramJanuary 28-31: Four-day warm-up, M.A. Aziz Stadium, ChattogramFebruary 3-7: 1st Test Match, ZACS, ChattogramFebruary 11-15: 2nd Test Match, SBNCS, Dhaka