Windies trio stay at home
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THREE West Indies players have refused to tour the UK because of coronavirus fears.
In a big boost to cricket in England this summer, Windies skipper Jason Holder will bring a hugely competitive squad to defend the Wisden Trophy they claimed in 2019.
However, batsmen Darren Bravo and Shimron Hetmyer and fast-bowling all-rounder Keemo Paul have opted to stay at home.
Just 37 people have died from Covid-19 in the cricket-mad Caribbean, while the UK’S death toll is around 40,000.
These figures alone will be enough to strike fear into anyone being asked to travel here, with England skipper Joe Root describing the situation as “extremely scary” for the West Indian players.
A 14-man squad plus 11 travelling reserves were tested for coronavirus yesterday.
Assuming a clean bill of health, they will travel on two charter planes into Antigua before setting off to London on Monday in a redesigned aircraft that will allow for social distancing.
With the return flight home to the Caribbean not until July 30 it means the players face just over seven weeks without the ability to return home in case of injury or emergency.
A Cricket West Indies statement said: “Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer and Keemo Paul all declined the invitation to travel to England for the tour and CWI fully respects their decision to choose to do so.
“As previously stated, CWI will not hold this decision against these players when considering future selection.”
For those that do travel, the 14-man squad will each receive a guaranteed £5,000 match fee for each Test, reducing the impact of a 50 per cent pay cut across the board from July onwards.