Two Ireland Players Test Positive Before West Indies Series

Two of the Ireland players Paul Stirling and Shane Getkate have tested positive for COVID-19 and will have to undergo a mandatory 10-day quarantine in the United States. Three ODIs in the United States were also called off due to COVID-19 reasons.

The Ireland squad will be leaving for Florida on January 1 and will be travelling to Jamaica where three ODIs and a one-off T20I will be played at the Sabina Park. All-rounder George Dockrell has been cleared to travel with the team on Friday. But the other isolated players will need to return a negative COVID-19 result by January 9 and only then can they join the squad.

Ireland has an extended squad and can deal with absences: Holdsworth

Cricket Ireland High-Performance Director Richard Holdsworth has been impressed with the way the players have handled the situation. With an extended squad, he is hopeful that they will be able to deal with the absentees due to isolation.

“It’s a challenging time for all, but the players have responded very well to operating within the managed environment over the last two weeks. We have an extended squad with us on this tour, so will be able to cope with these absences pending no further outbreaks,” Holdsworth stated.

Captain Andrew Balbirnie and Andy McBrine had been identified as close contacts a few days ago. But they will be completing their quarantine and provided they return a negative Test, will be able to join the squad after Sunday. Harry Tector and Gareth Delany have completed their isolation and will be travelling with the rest of the Ireland squad to Jamaica.

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