Pakistan-West Indies ODI series postponed to June 2022 after positive COVID-19 results [Update #33]

[MenInG]

A further five members of the West Indies touring party have tested positive for COVID-19

Wednesday, 15 December 2021 — ST JOHN’S, Antigua — Following PCR tests administered on Wednesday in Pakistan, Cricket West Indies (CWI) can confirm that five more members of the West Indies touring party have tested positive for COVID-19 and will now undergo a period of self-isolation.

Three players: wicketkeeper/batsman Shai Hope, left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein, allrounder Justin Greaves; along with Assistant Coach Roddy Estwick, and Team Physician Dr Akshai Mansingh returned positive results in the latest round of testing carried out by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

All three players will therefore miss the upcoming matches and all five individuals will remain isolated from the rest of the West Indies squad and are now under the care and supervision provided by the medical officials. They will remain in isolation for ten (10) days or until they return negative PCR test results.

With a total of six players now ruled out of the tour due to COVID-19 and a finger injury to Devon Thomas (sustained in the 1st T20I), CWI and PCB Officials will be meeting on Thursday morning, once all members of the touring party have been tested again, to determine whether the tour can continue.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

This is so pathetic from PCB. The 2nd time this sort of thing happened. Whole world is perfecting the bio secure bubble & then PCB messes it ip always ***.

Australia would have canceled even if the series went well but now they will have another excuse.

West indies players tested positive on arrival, it wasn't a bubble breach.

It literally happens around the world,.not just a Pakistan thing. Today, Cummins missed the match due to being in close contact with an infected person.
A Bangladesh bowling coach tested positive in NZ today.

Unfortunate but happens around the world.

 

[Runner Up]

Try some expensive testing kits may be instead of Chinese ones.

 

[cricketjoshila]

How big is the WI squad? Can they field 11 players?

 

[sam_ahm]

This is why ODIs should have happened first as they were part of WSL. Holding meaningless T20s at the start is just stupid.

The series should not continue with so many positive cases, do WI even have 11 available players?

 

[realitygaf]

This is unsustainable. Players who have been double vaccinated by mRNA vaccinations should only be tested if they exhibit symptoms and players should only be allowed to tour if they are vaccinated.

 

[ChTab]

West indies players tested positive on arrival, it wasn't a bubble breach.

Yes few players were positive on arrival & obviously I am not blaming PCB for that. But the team is in Pakistan for more than a week & you have to blame PCB for this because either they messed up with the testing of the players or there was some sort of breach. You can't give PCB clean chit in this.

 

[MenInG]

I am guessing the same people who came running to jump on Wasim Khan on such issues will be airing their disgust at the COVID-19 situation now.

Yes?

Or possibly they will reflect on their poor judgement and understand how difficult it is in such times to have tours without incidents.

My only concern is that after the first breakout, were extra precautions not taken?

 

[Titan24]

This is why ODIs should have happened first as they were part of WSL. Holding meaningless T20s at the start is just stupid.

This. WSL matches are more important so should have been held before ideally in hindsight and incase of tour postponement will have to be adjusted in the future schedule.

Not sure how WI players got covid or some maybe came with it before hand as Pak camp is still thankfully being tested negative. Also I think WI could have come with few reserve players for the two series.

 

[Sycamore]

Yes few players were positive on arrival & obviously I am not blaming PCB for that. But the team is in Pakistan for more than a week & you have to blame PCB for this because either they messed up with the testing of the players or there was some sort of breach. You can't give PCB clean chit in this.

Try and understand how the virus spreads first before having the knives out for PCB. In the PSL there were reports of clear disregard with families mixing with players, weddings being held.

In this case the West Indies players were already infected before they came overseas, the virus can stay upto 14 days in the body dormant, the players who tested now most likely were in contact with the likes of Cottrell and company.

 

[cricketjoshila]

WI players flew commercial or chartered?

 

[sam_ahm]

WI players already came infected, so there is high chance that more players who were in contact were infected. It takes time to test positive.

PCB cannot be blamed here, no way.

CWI should have had players in a bubble before starting for Pakistan.

Also Covid is an endemic and people should stop freaking out in case of fully vaccinated atheletes. Just isolate the positive players and get on with it. Teams should send a large contingent.

 

[shah9425]

Hopefully some good news can come out of this

 

[Last Monetarist]

Reminds me of India's white ball tour to Sri Lanka a few months ago when most of their players got infected and they were struggling to put an XI out. That tour continued due to financial constraints for Sri Lankan cricket, doubt the PCB are as desperate as that.

 

[Titan24]

WI players flew commercial or chartered?

36 hrs commercial flight through 3 airports (As it was via Dubai I think).

 

[MenInG]

Reminds me of India's white ball tour to Sri Lanka a few months ago when most of their players got infected and they were struggling to put an XI out. That tour continued due to financial constraints for Sri Lankan cricket, doubt the PCB are as desperate as that.

You will find the same here.

WI players need their match fees and some (if not all) would be keen to play.

 

[Saj]

Meanwhile, silence from PCB regarding whether today's match is on or off.

 

[Shafi]

So what is the this fuss about vaccine? People risk their life to take 2 vaccine still they get the disease.

 

[Shafi]

So most likely the tour will be cancelled just 30 mins before the play starts.

 

[khan-92]

So what is the this fuss about vaccine? People risk their life to take 2 vaccine still they get the disease.

Won't be 2 they will have to have boosters now.We have unprecedented incidents of athletes having heart issues especially footballers & people still want to vaccinate healthy fit people, world is gone bonkers.

 

[Adnan_Ilyas]

Lot of tweets saying the 3rd T20 will continue

 

[MenInG]

PCB have confirmed that the 3rd and final T20I will go ahead as planned.

There is no news on the fate of the 3-match ODI series.

 

[sam_ahm]

I'm very happy to see this series going ahead, I think unless we see more positive cases the ODIs will also go through.

Hope the earlier infected players will recover in time for ODIs.

That's the way to go, let's get on with it. Enough of this covid ****.

 

[Sherlock]

I am guessing the same people who came running to jump on Wasim Khan on such issues will be airing their disgust at the COVID-19 situation now.

Yes?

Or possibly they will reflect on their poor judgement and understand how difficult it is in such times to have tours without incidents.

My only concern is that after the first breakout, were extra precautions not taken?

Of course not. Heaven forbid they throw tantrums and blame another person than their punching bag Wasim Khan.

It was clear so people on here have/had an agenda against Wasim Khan and it showed over and over again.

It's pathetic but it's part and parcel of some users gullible nature and mindset.

 

[Sherlock]

So what is the this fuss about vaccine? People risk their life to take 2 vaccine still they get the disease.

The vaccine doesn't stop anyone from getting COVID, it's stops them from getting symptoms and the same nature of the virus that puts those that don't take the vaccine in hospital.

 

[The_KING]

People need to get over this Covid nonsense. It’s been around for over two years now and we still have people acting all hysterical when it comes to covid. All this nonsense of cancelling matches and people having to isolate because they came in contact with someone who has had covid. Covid is here to stay. It is now a part of our world, just like aids, cancer and all other viruses / diseases are. People need to accept it and try to live their lives as normal.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A lot of credit goes to the West Indies. Several Covid-19 cases and injuries but they are playing today. I could think of some squads that would be running home today <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvWI?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAKvWI</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SajSadiqCricket/status/1471459531209252869?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[90MPH]

This new variant of Covid is spreading at breakneck speed in the UK and I suspect it will happen across the globe in the coming weeks

So much disruption already happening in the premier league (and they have handled it very professionally) so of course this will affect other sports as well.

This disruption is going to be going on for a number of years unless we can get the vast majority of the world Vaccinated as quick as possible.

 

[MenInG]

 

[sam_ahm]

This new variant of Covid is spreading at breakneck speed in the UK and I suspect it will happen across the globe in the coming weeks

So much disruption already happening in the premier league (and they have handled it very professionally) so of course this will affect other sports as well.

This disruption is going to be going on for a number of years unless we can get the vast majority of the world Vaccinated as quick as possible.

I think about 75-80% of UK population is fully vaccinated, atleast the world vaccination data site shows that, but still if it's spreading there we know there is no end to this.

Number of cases do not matter, what matters is severity of the new varients, are they still fatal, if so for what age group etc... And then people and governments should act accordingly.

 

[silentkiller187]

I think about 75-80% of UK population is fully vaccinated, atleast the world vaccination data site shows that, but still if it's spreading there we know there is no end to this.

Number of cases do not matter, what matters is severity of the new varients, are they still fatal, if so for what age group etc... And then people and governments should act accordingly.

Case numbers are very high in the uk at the moment and is the highest it has ever been since the pandemic began, however what we also need to remember is compared to this time last year we now have vaccines that majority have got and boosters which is currently at around 45% population, therefore at present hospital numbrs are still quite low and death rates even lower this could change in coming days but early signs show omycron is faster at transmitting but not as violent as previous strains

 

[sam_ahm]

Case numbers are very high in the uk at the moment and is the highest it has ever been since the pandemic began, however what we also need to remember is compared to this time last year we now have vaccines that majority have got and boosters which is currently at around 45% population, therefore at present hospital numbrs are still quite low and death rates even lower this could change in coming days but early signs show omycron is faster at transmitting but not as violent as previous strains

That is really good that with vaccinated people, and also the booster jab, covid won't do much damage. The situation during Delta was altogether different, barely anyone was vaccinated, and delta was far more severe.

Again folks I've lost three very close family members to covid this year in May/Jun , people on whose hands I grew up... So I know how serious it is, but we cannot let this virus dictate our lives. We need to get on with it.

 

[Firebat]

Joint statement by PCB and CWI

Karachi, 16 December 2021:

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) have issued a joint statement after five more positive cases were reported in the West Indies camp following Wednesday’s PCR testing, raising the total number of positive cases to nine since their arrival in Karachi on December 9.

“On Thursday morning and as part of the PCB COVID-19 Protocols, Rapid Antigen tests were conducted on the remaining 15 West Indies players and six player support personnel. All 21 members of the West Indies touring party returned negative test result. As such, Thursday’s T20 International (T20I) proceeded as planned.

“However, taking into consideration both the teams’ welfare as well as limited resources in the West Indies side for the ODIs, it has been agreed that the series, which forms part of the ICC Men’s Cricket Word Cup Super League, will be postponed and rescheduled for early June 2022.

“This will provide the West Indies with an equal opportunity to field their best available players for the World Cup qualification matches.

“The West Indies team members, who returned negative results following Wednesday’s PCR and today’s Rapid Antigen tests, will depart from Pakistan after tonight’s match. Those who have tested positive will complete their isolation in Karachi before their travel arrangements are finalised to allow them to rejoin their families in time for Christmas celebrations.

“Meanwhile, the Pakistan team members, all of whom have returned PCR negative after Wednesday’s tests, will also be leaving the Managed Event Environment after tonight’s third T20I.

“The CWI would like to thank the PCB for its excellent series arrangements and appreciates its support in rescheduling the ODI series in June 2022.”

 

[gazza619]

Damn!

 

[PakEngFan]

Why weren’t the odis played before these stupid t20s?

 

[TeymurBlake]

God I was really looking forward to the ODI series.

 

[mazkhan]

Ridiculous to postpone the series

Vaccines don't help either because you can still get covid .

So you would have to have a bio secure bubble all the time and that would just be mentally draining for all players to be in such a continuous bubble like a jail

 

[sam_ahm]

At least they have set a date for the ODIs which is good instead of simply saying 'postponed'.

I think WI do not want to risk losing the ODI series as it impacts WC qualification. They want to field their best team which is understandable.

Teams should prioritize WSL matches over these absolutely meaningless T20 bilaterals, otherwise there is no way we will complete the WSL and that is dangerous because if ICC go by % points, there is a realistic possibility of some of the lower ranked teams like Afg, Net, etc.. only playing amongst themselves while missing games against higher ranked teams and ending up with a high % points.

 

[Major]

) Rameez Raja is yet to schedule a proper home series, what a joke of a chairman.

Under him we have now had 3 series cancelled.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

) Rameez Raja is yet to schedule a proper home series, what a joke of a chairman.

Under him we have now had 3 series cancelled.

Jesus Christ. None of them had to do with Ramiz at all. The first two were the fake security pullouts, and this one was because WI players arrived with COVID already wtih them and it spread from them (not a bubble breach). Bad luck but it happens.

Take your agenda somewhere else.

 

[Major]

Jesus Christ. None of them had to do with Ramiz at all. The first two were the fake security pullouts, and this one was because WI players arrived with COVID already wtih them and it spread from them (not a bubble breach). Bad luck but it happens.

Take your agenda somewhere else.

They had there intelligence reports. Now you and me can assume whatever we want, but they had valid intelligence reports. To claim them as fake we would need proof which we dont have.....

If WI players arrived with Covid than this is very shameful from PCB under Ramiz Raja. Raja should had enforced that players coming from West Indies should follow the proper quaratine guidelines. Just like how NZ cricket board, ECB and others forced us.

PCB could have also enforced aswell because a postponed series is our loss not WICB.

This isnt bad luck, this is PCB begging and not able to place its foot down when it comes to hosting. Rameez Raja was all talks of restoring the self respect of Pakistan cricket but he cant even ask Boards to follow rules. While when we tour we are told by other boards to do so and so things.

This is another failure under Rameez Raja. More are yet to come . When a commentator is made the head of an organization who claims the West is out against us, such things are bound to happen

 

[HappyWarsFan]

They had there intelligence reports. Now you and me can assume whatever we want, but they had valid intelligence reports. To claim them as fake we would need proof which we dont have.....

If WI players arrived with Covid than this is very shameful from PCB under Ramiz Raja. Raja should had enforced that players coming from West Indies should follow the proper quaratine guidelines. Just like how NZ cricket board, ECB and others forced us.

PCB could have also enforced aswell because a postponed series is our loss not WICB.

This isnt bad luck, this is PCB begging and not able to place its foot down when it comes to hosting. Rameez Raja was all talks of restoring the self respect of Pakistan cricket but he cant even ask Boards to follow rules. While when we tour we are told by other boards to do so and so things.

This is another failure under Rameez Raja. More are yet to come . When a commentator is made the head of an organization who claims the West is out against us, such things are bound to happen

Sigh, I won't even bother explaining why your reasoning is flawed regarding the COVID fiasco. You'll always have something to nitpick. I'll leave at that.

 

[PakEngFan]

) Rameez Raja is yet to schedule a proper home series, what a joke of a chairman.

Under him we have now had 3 series cancelled.

Doesn’t matter. He’s already done more then enough by kicking misbah out.

 

[Major]

Doesn’t matter. He’s already done more then enough by kicking misbah out.

let me know when Rameez Raja is able to host a full tour in his reign. 3 postponed tours, now lets see what happens with the PSL.

Had this been Waseem Khan people would had been talking about his salary.

 

[PakEngFan]

let me know when Rameez Raja is able to host a full tour in his reign. 3 postponed tours, now lets see what happens with the PSL.

Had this been Waseem Khan people would had been talking about his salary.

Yes it’s ramiz fault that players got Covid and others running. Some of the posts here makes you wonder about their thought process.

 

[ARK Rafay]

) Rameez Raja is yet to schedule a proper home series, what a joke of a chairman.

Under him we have now had 3 series cancelled.

Don't tell me you think Ramiz is behind Covid-19?

 

[Major]

Yes it’s ramiz fault that players got Covid and others running. Some of the posts here makes you wonder about their thought process.

Don't tell me you think Ramiz is behind Covid-19?

you can read post no. 41

 

[realitygaf]

They had there intelligence reports. Now you and me can assume whatever we want, but they had valid intelligence reports. To claim them as fake we would need proof which we dont have.....

If WI players arrived with Covid than this is very shameful from PCB under Ramiz Raja. Raja should had enforced that players coming from West Indies should follow the proper quaratine guidelines. Just like how NZ cricket board, ECB and others forced us.

PCB could have also enforced aswell because a postponed series is our loss not WICB.

This isnt bad luck, this is PCB begging and not able to place its foot down when it comes to hosting. Rameez Raja was all talks of restoring the self respect of Pakistan cricket but he cant even ask Boards to follow rules. While when we tour we are told by other boards to do so and so things.

This is another failure under Rameez Raja. More are yet to come . When a commentator is made the head of an organization who claims the West is out against us, such things are bound to happen

they had intelligence reports that WICB faked the negative covid tests?

 

[Syed1]

Doesn’t matter. He’s already done more then enough by kicking misbah out.

That in itself should land Rambo as GOAT PCB chairman. Kicking out that pathetic Misbah and his side kick Waqar who were hell bent on destroying Pakistan cricket ONCE AGAIN.

 

[pakistani pride]

People need to get over this Covid nonsense. It’s been around for over two years now and we still have people acting all hysterical when it comes to covid. All this nonsense of cancelling matches and people having to isolate because they came in contact with someone who has had covid. Covid is here to stay. It is now a part of our world, just like aids, cancer and all other viruses / diseases are. People need to accept it and try to live their lives as normal.

Well said!
Wish more people could use some common sense.

 

[shah9425]

Next time please put odis before t20s

 

[realitygaf]

Well said!
Wish more people could use some common sense.

if this is the mainstream mentality in pakistan, countries should stop touring Pakistan. this is a joke

 

[Concerned]

Nice of West Indies to complete the T20 series - still played like champions.

Other than Srilanka most of the other teams would have deserted Pakistan.

 

[Markhor]

Disappointing but understandable.

It'll be very hot in June, but hopefully WI will have likes of Lewis, Pollard, Allen, McCoy and a few other first-teamers available. Should be a good series.

 

[Kaddy]

So we played only 6 ODis in 2021.

Played only 3 in 2020.

 

[shamaan]

I think in the end it was the right decision good decision by West Indies to play the 3rd t20 thou

 

[PakLFC]

Pak seems to be cursed. Nothing ever goes right for us no matter how hard we try. As for the Covid it has become so confusing as to what the whole point is taking all these vaccinations and boosters. If they don't protect people from catching the disease then stop encouraging people to take them for Pete sake!

 

[ExplicitAI]

COVID-19 has seriously destroyed sports. The Premier League has seen games being called off due to the pandemic and we are now seeing the same thing with cricket. The safety of players is the most important thing given that the nearly everyone will be touching the ball if their side is fielding, which would obviously mean that the virus would be spreading. I'm just hoping that this virus vanishes from the earth but it's going to take a while.

 

[moghul]

) Rameez Raja is yet to schedule a proper home series, what a joke of a chairman.

Under him we have now had 3 series cancelled.

Lets blame RR for this new very contagious covid variant, why not.

 

[moghul]

Pak seems to be cursed. Nothing ever goes right for us no matter how hard we try. As for the Covid it has become so confusing as to what the whole point is taking all these vaccinations and boosters. If they don't protect people from catching the disease then stop encouraging people to take them for Pete sake!

Covid is causes fresh problems all over the world including the most vaccinated nations like UK and USA, lets not blame Pakistan of PCB for this. Lots of cancellations here in USA including sports, universities and roadway shows . Vaccinated people do well, non-vaccinated end up in hospitals.

 

[MenInG]

West Indies squad members have departed for home today

 

[cricketjoshila]

Jesus Christ. None of them had to do with Ramiz at all. The first two were the fake security pullouts, and this one was because WI players arrived with COVID already wtih them and it spread from them (not a bubble breach). Bad luck but it happens.

Take your agenda somewhere else.

Fake security pull outs? NZ had a intelligence input and the decision was taken at the very highest level of their government.

 

[PakLFC]

Covid is causes fresh problems all over the world including the most vaccinated nations like UK and USA, lets not blame Pakistan of PCB for this. Lots of cancellations here in USA including sports, universities and roadway shows . Vaccinated people do well, non-vaccinated end up in hospitals.

I said nothing about the PCB or the Pak team. Saying that good luck always escapers us.

 

[MenInG]

KARACHI: Another blow for Pakistan cricket. And once again, for no fault of its own.

Pakistan Cricket Board’s chief operating officer Salman Naseer said that West Indies players contracted Covid-19 during transit on their way to the country, with the new positive cases that emerged on Thursday meaning that the three-match ODI series between the two teams starting this weekend would not go ahead.

It followed New Zealand’s tour abandonment due to security risks and England’s subsequent withdrawal from their scheduled series due to what they said were mental health concerns earlier this year.

An official announcement regarding the West Indies series postponement was made an hour before Naseer’s news conference, during the third and final Twenty20 International bet*ween Pakistan and West Indies at the National Stadium.


The fate of that match had also been shrouded in doubt since the early hours of Thursday when reports first emerged that three more West Indies players and two members of the coaching staff had tested positive for coronavirus. Three other West Indies players had tested positive for Covid before the start of the T20 series.

However, the T20 match went ahead after the PCB and Cricket West Indies (CWI) held a series of meetings where it was also decided that the ODI series would now be postponed till June 2022.

“It’s been a tough week… especially the last 24 hours but we have to accept the Covid reality,” Naseer told the news conference, during the third T20 which Pakistan won to complete a 3-0 series sweep.

“We have had long discussions with the CWI, which were even more difficult due to the time difference between here and the West Indies.

“The latest positive tests [of ODI captain Shai Hope, spinner Akeal Hosein and all-rounder Justin Greaves] had severely depleted their team strength and the CWI felt that it couldn’t field a strong eleven for the ODIs especially since it carries points for the World Cup league.

“Their players were worried that a serious Covid-19 outbreak could prevent them from reaching back home in time for Christmas.

“So taking player welfare into account as well as their team strength, it was decided that the series will be rescheduled for the first week of June 2022.”

The ODI series was scheduled to end on Dec 22.

And while the infected players and members of the coaching staff entered a 10-day self-isolation period on Wednesday, lasting until Dec 24, Naseer was confident that they would return home for Christmas.

“Arrangements are being made for the departure of those who have given negative tests to fly out as soon as possible while we are hopeful that those staying back will also reach West Indies in time,” he said.

He stated that the bio-secure bubble created by the PCB for the series had not been breached but the virus strain reached the West Indies players while they were travelling. Some of the West Indies players flew in from Dubai after the T10 league while the others arrived from Sri Lanka, where the West Indies were playing a Test series.

Naseer also defended the move of allowing the third T20 when the Covid positive cases were already known. “We were not putting our players at risk,” he said.

“There has been very minimal interaction between the two teams and our medical team consulted with experts who said that there was no chance of our players contracting the virus from the West Indies players who could’ve been close contacts.”

Naseer added that the series postponement would not affect Australia’s scheduled tour in March next year. “It was for no fault of ours,” he said.

“Australia’s security team was on a recce trip during the T20s and it’s not a security issue but a virus issue which is beyond our control. We went by global standards of isolation and testing.”

The postponement will hit PCB financially, but Naseer said there had been “positive” discussions with the West Indies about playing three additional T20s to help recover from the losses.

The PCB’s acting chief executive officer also said that there will be an announcement regarding a tour by New Zealand at the end of next year which would provide PCB some compensation for the losses it suffered due to their decision to abandon their tour in September.

England have already agreed to play two additional T20s against Pakistan when they tour next year as compensation for their cancelled tour in October.

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2021

 

[sam_ahm]

Surely not PCBs fault and quite poor on the part of CWI.

Now for 3 ODIs they have to travel all over again.

Only thing good was that with such a depleted team I don't think even Pakistan fans would have enjoyed watching. At least now we can hope for more competitive games. Again taking nothing away from these young WI players who played so well in 2nd and 3rd T20s but still you have to admit it was a 2nd string team. Moreover in 50 over games the gap would have been much more visible.

 

[MenInG]

This thread is about the tour and issues related to it.

 

[sweep_shot]

Since this is a part of ODI Super League, West Indies need a full team.

Postponement makes sense.

 

[MenInG]

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — Cricket West Indies (CWI) President Ricky Skerritt said the board had been forced into “significant decisions” in the “tough times” created by the novel coronavirus pandemic and believes the correct decision was made in postponing the One-Day International (ODIs) series against Pakistan.

West Indies were scheduled to face Pakistan in three ODIs starting Saturday but CWI and the Pakistan Cricket Board agreed to scrap the series after five members of the touring party's contingent tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday.

Last week, four persons — three players and a non-coaching member of the support staff — also returned positive tests following the squad's arrival in Pakistan.

The series will now be played next June and the remaining members of the West Indies touring party will fly home Thursday following the third Twenty20 International at the National Stadium.

“Unfortunately, there have been too many of our squad who have had to be isolated and our squad simply cannot continue to compete under such mental pressure, both on and off the field,” Skerritt said yesterday.

“However, we are pleased we were able to complete the T20 series and have already identified a window in 2022 for rescheduling the ODI series.

“[These are] tough times. We have had to make some significant decisions, but I think that all is well that ends well.”

West Indies made history last year when they became the first international side to undertake a tour during the pandemic, with a three-Test series away to England in July.

The Caribbean side then toured New Zealand in November and December before travelling to Bangladesh at the start of this year for ODIs and Tests.

After seeing its home schedule decimated in 2020 due to the pandemic, CWI successfully hosted Sri Lanka, South Africa, Australia and Pakistan for a combination of white ball and Tests between March and August this year.

Despite the challenges of staging cricket during the pandemic, Skerritt reiterated that the Pakistan series marked the first time CWI had been forced to abandon a tour for COVID-related reasons.

“After more than 16 months of fighting against the risk of COVID infections and after facing disruptions all around the world — both in overseas and home tours — this is the first time, unfortunately, that we have been forced to end a tour prematurely,” he pointed out.

Left-arm pacer Sheldon Cottrell along with all-rounders Roston Chase and Kyle Mayers tested positive on arrival last week and CWI confirmed late Wednesday that batsman Shai Hope, left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein and uncapped all-rounder Justin Greaves, had also tested positive.

Assistant Coach Roddy Estwick and team physician Dr Akshai Mansingh were among the five positives on Wednesday.

All members of the contingent who tested positives are required to spend ten days in isolation and must return a negative test before being released and allowed to fly home.

Skerritt confirmed that none of those who tested positive were seriously ill, however.

“Fortunately, we have one of our medical committee members on site and symptoms have been quite mild,” he stressed.

West Indies lost yestersday's final T20 International by seven wickets to suffer a 3-0 drubbing in the series

https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/spo...9-forces-cwi-into-making-big-decisions_239135

 

[pakistani pride]

Pak seems to be cursed. Nothing ever goes right for us no matter how hard we try. As for the Covid it has become so confusing as to what the whole point is taking all these vaccinations and boosters. If they don't protect people from catching the disease then stop encouraging people to take them for Pete sake!

LOL

they will booster/jab people every year and no, it will not help. Also games / tours called of due to a positive test makes no sense at all.

 

[pakistani pride]

if this is the mainstream mentality in pakistan, countries should stop touring Pakistan. this is a joke

Why so, do you even know the situation in Pakistan?

 

[Artaxerxes]

LOL

they will booster/jab people every year and no, it will not help. Also games / tours called of due to a positive test makes no sense at all.

Some English premier league football matches have been postponed too due to covid-19.No need get upset.It is not fair for WI to play ODIs with a depleted squad.Covid-19 is going to be around for many years.It is going to disrupt sporting events,travel,tourism etc.

 

[Saj]

West Indies players played 3 T20Is when some other nations would have been on the first flight home as soon as the first positive case was known.

 

[PakLFC]

LOL

they will booster/jab people every year and no, it will not help. Also games / tours called of due to a positive test makes no sense at all.

How does that relate to my comment you quoted?

 

[PakLFC]

Would be refreshing if a series in Pak was completed for a change. Not blaming the PCB but something like this always effects Pak far more then any other country.

 

[ahsan17]

Fake security pull outs? NZ had a intelligence input and the decision was taken at the very highest level of their government.

We have been over this many times. England did not think this so called threat was serious, and they are part of 5 eyes as well. So it is more likely than not that NZ fell for a hoax.

 

[sam_ahm]

There are positive cases now in Ireland camp ahead of their tour to USA and WI. They've made some squad changes accordingly.

Herath has tested positive who is Bangladesh spin coach and Bangladesh are spending more time in quarentine in NZL.

There are and will be cases everywhere either just get on with it or stop cricket for 1 year and we can start afresh in 2023 depending on the situation. What else can I say? There is no end to this.

 

[James]

<b>Saturday Express —
Grave: Safe return the main priority
...lauds men in maroon for completing T20 series.</b>

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has praised the Nicholas Pooran-led squad for completing the Twenty20 International (T20I) series against Pakistan despite a Covid-19 outbreak in the camp, and says the main focus remains the health of all players and ensuring their safe return to the Caribbean.

West Indies proceeded with Thursday’s final T20I of the three-match series in Karachi, against the backdrop of five members of the touring party -- including three players -- returning positive tests 24 hours earlier.

Another four members -- including three players -- had also tested positive prior to the start of the series, leaving the squad numbers severely diminished.

“It’s been a very difficult last [few days] for everyone, particularly the players and support staff out in Pakistan,” CWI chief executive, Johnny Grave said. “Obviously getting more Covid cases caused even more anxiety amongst the players, especially being this close to Christmas, and being away from home in bio-secure bubbles is a very difficult environment for such a long period of time.

“So we’re enormously proud of all the players for the decision they made as a collective to take the field [for the final T20I] and complete the T20 part of this tour.”

Despite the completion of the T20I series, CWI and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) jointly agreed to scrap the One-Day International phase of the tour scheduled to bowl off in Karachi today. That three-match series is now pencilled in for next June.

Grave said the decision was taken not only because of the depleted squad but to further ensure the safety of the remaining members of the touring party. “Obviously we are all disappointed that we aren’t able to complete the One-Day Internationals, but just with so many players out – as well as a couple of injuries -- we only have just about 11 players, which clearly isn’t enough players to get through three One-Day Internationals,” the Englishman pointed out.

“If we were to have one injury or one more Covid case, then clearly the series would be curtailed anyway, so we’ve taken a very difficult decision and we’re very grateful for the understanding that the Pakistan Cricket Board has given us in this difficult situation, particularly for our players away from home so close to Christmas.”

He continued: “It’s disappointing we can’t complete the One-Day International series but at the end of the day we’ve always said player safety and security would always come first and our priority has been, now we’ve completed the T20 part of the series, to get the players home as quickly and safely as possible so they can spend Christmas and the New Year with their friends and families back in the Caribbean.”

Six players -- Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Kyle Mayers, Shai Hope, Justin Greaves and Akeal Hosein -- along with assistant coach Roddy Estwick, team physician Dr Akshai Mansingh and an unnamed non-coaching member of the support staff are currently in isolation after testing positive. The remainder of the touring party were set to fly out of Pakistan on Thursday, immediately following the final T20I.

Grave said those in isolation would be afforded the best care until they were able to return to the Caribbean. “Obviously we still have a number of players and support staff who will remain in Karachi for the next few days,” he explained. “They are obviously all fully vaccinated. Many of them are asymptomatic, a few have had some mild symptoms but they’re under the fantastic care we’ve got, since we’ve arrived, by the Pakistan Cricket Board, from a medical perspective.

“Our team physician Dr Mansingh is also there with them and will accompany the final players home. We’re still hoping they’ll be able to return negative tests in time to get back into the Caribbean for Christmas and at the moment they remain in isolation under the care and supervision of the medical teams.”

West Indies suffered a 3-0 drubbing in the T20I series, losing Monday’s opener by 63 runs, the second 24 hours later by nine runs, and the third by seven wickets.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thanks for having us Pakistan <a href="https://t.co/zZdjPhEuIl">pic.twitter.com/zZdjPhEuIl</a></p>— NickyP (@nicholas_47) <a href="https://twitter.com/nicholas_47/status/1471591320196112395?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

West Indies will play three Twenty20 Internationals in the build up to the HBL Pakistan Super League 2023. The West Indies team are already scheduled to play ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League ODIs in June 2022 to make up for the postponed December 2021 matches due to an increased number of Covid-19 cases in their side