Jason Holder’s West Indies team left Antigua for England to play three Tests beginning July 8 and arrived in Manchester on Tuesday. All players and staff completed their COVID-19 tests, and they reported all the findings as negative. Players and crew on board will have coronavirus tested again.
West Indies, who have sent a 25-man squad for the England tour must stay, train and perform in a “bio-safe” setting with strict rules limiting movement in and out of the venues. For some time, all players and support staff will remain in quarantine to kick off their seven-week tour.
A few limitations were put in place. Such regulations do not allow players to travel in and out of the stadiums and support staff. Consequently, 11 reserve players go to practice and prepare the test squad while ensuring that substitutes are available in the event of injury.
After watching months of TV, cricket fans will be looking forward to the 3 Test series match. As what the England captain Joe Root had mentioned, the cricket match will be incredibly exciting, and the cricket world will be happy to see cricket happen again.
The Test series was initially scheduled to be played in June but will now kickstart from July 8 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, becoming the first international cricket series to be performed after an extended break. The series will be played at Ageas Bowl and Old Trafford more “bio-secure” than conventional Oval, Edgbaston and Lord’s.
Meanwhile, at the ICC meeting on Wednesday, numerous health initiatives, including a ban on saliva, are expected to be approved automatically.
The event director of England and Wales Cricket Board, Steve Elworthy, has mentioned their primary objective is to accommodate a secure environment for all stakeholders.
Test series of England vs West Indies:
- England vs. West Indies: 8-12 July at Ageas Bowl – 1st Test
- England vs. West Indies: 16-20 July at Emirates Old Trafford – 2nd Test
- England vs. West Indies: 24-28 July at Emirates Old Trafford – 3rd Test
