West Indies team arrive in England

Team travel in charter plane for three Tests, beginning on July 8

The West Indies arrived in England yesterday for a three-test cricket tour, with the entire Caribbeanbased touring party having returned negative tests to Covid-19 before departing from Antigua.

Two planes collected players from various islands in the West Indies on Monday, and they boarded a private charter to Manchester.

On arrival at Old Trafford in Manchester, the 39-strong touring party — including 14 squad players and 11 reserves — will be quarantined and tested again for Covid-19 as they begin the seven-week tour. They will live, train and play at the ground in what England officials describe as a “bio-secure environment.”

“This is a huge step forward in cricket and in sports in general as we travel over to England for this series,” West Indies captain Jason Holder said at home. “A lot has gone into the preparations for what will be a new phase in the game.’’

The protocols will restrict movement in and out of the

West Indies team will live, train and play at the ground in what England officials describe as a “bio-secure environment.”

venues, so the reserve players have travelled to help prepare the Test squad and ensure replacements are available in case of injury. There will be no spectators allowed at the three Tests, which are being played over just 21 days, starting on July 8 in Southampton and at Old Trafford on July 16 and 24.

The venues were chosen because they had hotels attached or nearby. The original tour was scheduled for May and June but was postponed due to coronavirus restrictions.