Windies adjusting well in the UK
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND (CMC):
WINDIES CAPTAIN Jason Holder has praised the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for the safety protocols implemented for the upcoming Test series, saying on Wednesday that the Caribbean side felt “safe” after arriving here for the historic tour.
He said having flown from the Caribbean by private charter on Monday, the team had experienced a seamless transition from the airport to hotel, with little interaction with the public.
The tour is taking place in the face of a global public health crisis triggered by the deadly COVID-19 pandemic that has already caused over 4,100 deaths in the United Kingdom.
“I feel pretty safe. I must commend the ECB, they’ve been outstanding so far,” Holder told a media conference conducted via Zoom from Old Trafford here, where the entire touring party has been quarantined for the next two weeks.
“Arriving here in Manchester yesterday was pretty smooth. We just transitioned directly from the plane through a VIP arrival hall and then from there straight on the buses and directly to the hotel so we had no real interface with anyone from the public; obviously, just the workers at the airport and here at the hotel as well.”
The three-Test series will be the first of its kind to be played behind closed doors and under strict social distancing, health and sanitisation protocols.
Players will be isolated from the public throughout the seven-week tour, first at the ‘biosecure’ Old Trafford facility and then at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.
The teams will return to Old Trafford for the
final two Tests.