Windies players resume outdoor training

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

Barbadian players in the West Indies provisional squad for the proposed England tour practised here yesterday for the second straight day, enjoying rare outdoor activity following months of lockdown here due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.

The country is still under an emergency curfew from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. with sporting activity still barred but the 13-man group headed by Test captain Jason Holder have been given permission to train at Kensington Oval behind closed doors throughout the week.

To ensure social-distancing measures are enforced, two groups of three players practised on Monday, while another two groups trained yesterday, with West Indies assistant coach Roddy Estwick overseeing both sessions.

Practice sessions, which will entail all three primary skills, are scheduled to last about 11/2 hours.

Holder, along with Test players Kraigg Brathwaite, Kemar Roach, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich, Raymon Reifer, Shai Hope, and Jomel Warrican have been named in the provisional squad.

The uncapped quartet of Shayne Moseley, Chemar Holder, Keon Harding, and Kyle Mayers are also among those named in the 30-man list.

Barbados has reported 92 cases of COVID-19 and seven deaths.

Outdoor Practice

Meanwhile, fast bowler Alzarri Joseph and off-spinning all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall, also enjoyed outdoor practice when they commenced training in their native Antigua this week.

Both are expected to be among the final 25-man squad for the three-Test series which, if it comes off, will begin July 8.

Cricket West Indies chief executive, Johnny Grave, said last weekend the regional governing body was still in discussion with its English counterpart, the ECB over the tour, but would need to conclude negotiations “by the start of June” in order to put travel and other arrangements in place.

The final squad is expected to assemble in Antigua and then fly to England by private charter. On arrival in the United Kingdom, they will be quarantined for two weeks before entering a “bio-secure” facility at the stadium which hosts the first Test.