So far so good for us in the UK – Campbell

It has been just more than a week since the West Indies team touched down in Manchester ahead of the July 8 first of three Test matches against England.

The West Indies squad has been living, training and playing in a “biosecure” environment during the seven weeks of the tour, as part of the comprehensive medical and operations plans to ensure player and staff safety.

Opener John Campbell is among five Jamaicans in the 25-man touring party that has been in a training camp at the Emirates, Old Trafford.

The other Jamaican members are Oshane Thomas, Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner and Marquino Mindley.

For Campbell, the first week has been good despite being greeted by the usual English chilly weather.

“It has been alright so far, I really can’t complain. The first week we did a lot of physical work and net sessions when possible but it’s just the weather that has been a bit on and off with rain the past couple of days, but all in all everyone is coping fine”, said Campbell.

RESTRICTING MOVEMENT

With the bio-secure protocols restricting movement in and out of the venue, Campbell said the players have opted to bond closer during the downtime.

“It’s been a week and boredom has not started to set in yet because when we are not training we all go down to the games room where we relax and play some dominos and table tennis or we do some swimming, it’s quite a comprehensive facility,” added Campbell.

The West Indies will have two inter-squad warm-up matches in Manchester next week before they travel to Southampton for the first Test. All 25 players on tour will participate in the squad matches which will bowl off with a three-day match to be played from Tuesday, June 23 to Thursday, 25 and then the four-day match from Monday, June 29 to Thursday, July 2.