Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced a 14-man squad for the proposed three-match Test tour of England next month and if the event gets its final approval from the UK government, then international cricket will resume once again. Three West Indies players Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer and Keemo Paul on Wednesday refused to be a part of this tour. These matches will be conducted in a biologically safe environment amid the threat of the COVID-19 epidemic.
The CWI said in a statement, "Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer and Keemo Paul have declined to travel to England and the CWI fully respects their decision. As previously stated, CWI will not use this decision of the players against them while selecting the team in future. The board, however, did not give any specific reason for the withdrawal of these players. As part of the overall medical and operational plan for the safety of players and staff, the West Indies team will stay, train and play in a 'biologically safe' environment over the course of seven weeks."
Let us tell you that all those selected players will undergo a Coronavirus test this week and their chartered aircraft is scheduled to leave for England on June 8. The first Test of the series will be played from July 8 at the Agias Bowl in Hampshire and the remaining two Tests will take place at the Old Trafford ground in Lancashire. Old Trafford will host two Tests from 16 to 20 June and again from 24 to 28 June.
West Indies squad: Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Kraigg Brathwaite, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shane Dowrich, Chemar Holder, Jason Holder (c), Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach.
Reserve players: Sunil Ambris, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Keon Harding, Kyle Mayers, Preston McSween, Marquino Mindley, Shane Moseley, Anderson Phillip, Oshane Thomas, Jomel Warrican.
