Holder feeling safe after Windies’ arrival in England

WEST Indies captain Jason Holder has been reassured by the measures taken to look after his team since arriving in England for a three-test tour and feels “pretty safe” despite the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

The Windies landed in Manchester on Tuesday via a privately chartered flight arranged at the hosts’ expense and were immediately shuttled to Emirates Old Trafford, where they will combine the mandatory 14-day quarantine period with a pre-series training camp. The first Test begins on July 8.

Health and safety protocols will continue to be rigorously enforced for the duration of the trip but the decision to travel to one of the worst affected countries in the world has won the tourists considerable gratitude.

Only three players declined the opportunity — Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul and Darren Bravo — and Holder is confident the 25 who did sign up are in good hands.

“I feel pretty safe. I must commend the ECB, they’ve been outstanding,” he said. “We had a chartered airline and arriving here in Manchester was pretty smooth. We just transferred directly from the plane through the VIP hall and then straight onto the buses directly to the hotel. We’ve had no real experience with anyone from the public.

“Everything so far has been rolled out perfectly and whilst it continues that way, I can’t see much interference coming with regards to the series.

“Before coming here to England, we all knew what was being posed. We’ve all made a decision to come over here.”