Roston Chase
Roston Chase (Credits: Twitter)

West Indies was dealt a big blow ahead of the 3-match T20I series against Pakistan as three of their players – Sheldon Cottrell, Roston Chase, and Kyle Mayers returned positive results in their Covid-19 tests.

The tests were conducted after the team arrived in Karachi for the series. A non-coaching staff member also tested positive and the four of them have been asked to isolate for a period of 10 days until they return negative tests.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) also confirmed that all three players are fully vaccinated and haven’t developed any major symptoms. Speaking about the situation, CEO of CWI, Johnny Grave said:

Sheldon Cottrell
Sheldon Cottrell. (Photo by Deepak Malik / Sportzpics for BCCI)

Our arrival testing protocols in Pakistan have confirmed four Covid-19 positives. These were confirmed whilst the players and staff were still in room isolation, so despite this significant setback to our preparation plans, we are confident that the tour can continue as everyone else returned negative PCRs prior to their arrival into Pakistan and two negative PCRs since they have been in Karachi.

“The rest of the squad are in good spirits” – Cricket West Indies

Grave further added that the pandemic situation makes it impossible to keep players completely safe from the virus, despite living in bio-bubbles and being vaccinated.

West Indies
West Indies team. Photo-Twitter

The risk of COVID-19 infection is impossible to remove completely from a cricket tour, in spite of the fact that many of our players have been living in bio-secure bubbles almost continuously since before the CPL. This unusual loss of three players from our squad will seriously impact our team preparations, but the rest of the squad are in good spirits and will begin training today ahead of our first game on Monday,” Grave added.

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The three T20Is will be played on December 13,14, and 16, followed by three ODIs on December 18,20, and 22.

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