The West Indies squad began its first training session in New Zealand on Tuesday (November 3) for their upcoming bilateral series against the Black Caps starting on November 27 in Auckland.
The majority of the West Indies team for both T20I and Test series and team management arrived in New Zealand last Friday after a 54-hour flight from Barbados and have been in isolation in a bio-secure facility in Christchurch arranged by New Zealand Cricket.
After spending three days in isolation, all members of the West Indies team underwent the first of three COVID-19 tests on Monday (November 2) and they all tested negative for the novel Coronavirus at their bio-secure facility and allowed to begin training at NZC's high-performance center.
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NZC further said that the West Indies squad would again undergo two further COVID-19 tests on day 6 and day 12 before they can be released from their mandatory 14-day isolation for the series.
NZC stated in a Twitter post: “All members of the @windiescricket touring party, currently in managed isolation in Christchurch, have returned negative results from the first of three COVID-19 tests, this one conducted on Day 3 at their managed isolation facility. Tests will be conducted again on Day 6 & 12.”
Meanwhile, the West Indies squad are now allowed to train in small groups at NZC's high-performance centre and CWI also shared some pictures on Twitter on Tuesday.
Sharing the picture, the CWI said: “The #MenInMaroon are OUTSIDE! After the 3-Day isolation period, WI is now allowed to practice in bubbles of 15! #WIReady”
On the other hand, the touring pacer Kesrick Williams shared the experience of their first day of training.
Williams said: “After flying for so long, the jet lag and then three days of isolation, it's tough. We could feel the effects of the three days and the jet lag ... but we know that we have to get accustomed and get ready to go. The first thing I learned is that the weather is messed up, but it's an awesome feeling to wear the maroon. The passion, the pride that comes with it.”
Noteworthy, the six members of the T20I squad are still playing in the ongoing IPL 2020 in the UAE and are expected to arrive in New Zealand after the 10th of November and the team head coach Phil Simmons said they are likely to be in isolation until the morning of the first T20I on November 27.
(With Reuters Inputs)
