– touring party to be tested again on Days 6 and 12

THE touring party for the West Indies, including players, coaching staff and other members, cleared their initial Covid-19 tests following their arrival in New Zealand, ahead of the upcoming series.

Before the Windies and the Kiwis do battle in Tests and T20 matches, the most integral part of the series given the nature of things these days, is ensuring that the touring party are all safe before actually entering into the ‘Bubble’.

The contingent was tested on Day three at their isolated facility in Christ Church, with three separate Covid checks being carried out.

 With all members cleared to go, players will now remain in lockdown as they await two more sets of tests set for the sixth and 12^th days respectively, before being unrestricted from their required 14-day quarantine; similar to their tour of England back in the summer when the Windies’ team got their first taste of playing under bio-secure rules. Given their experience in England, most of the players, even those who are returning to the side after missing out during the return series, have played in the CPL, which adapted similar bio-secure protocols and should be equally equipped to adapt to things in ‘Kiwi’ land.

With the Caribbean ‘boys’ cleared and ready to go as they try to stay safe ahead of their next few rounds of checkups, players can now shift their focus to the few practice games which play a huge role in getting them acclimatised from a playing perspective.

Although the Test players are accounted for, roughly six of the Windies T20 stars are currently involved in the  Indian Premier League (IPL) and are not expected to arrive in New Zealand until late next week, when they will begin their isolation ahead of the first T20 match, which bowls off on November 27.

Meanwhile, first warm-up match versus the New Zealand A team is set to bowl off on November 20 with the second and final game to be playd on November 25. (Clifton Ross)