Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 participants from both New Zealand and West Indies have cleared their second round of COVID-19 testing ahead of the three-match T20I series starting on November 27.
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Thursday (November 19) has confirmed that all the 20 New Zealand and West Indies players and support staff, who participated in the recently-concluded IPL 2020 have cleared the second of three COVID-19 tests and will undergo the final test next week.
The first COVID-19 test on those players conducted on their arrival from the UAE on November 14 while the second on Thursday and now they have to clear the final Test next week and clear it to be allowed to leave the “managed isolation” and join their teammates in the bio bubble.
NZC announced the same via Twitter: “The second of three COVID-19 tests for the ten New Zealand players and support staff, and the ten @windiescricket players and support staff currently in managed isolation, have all been returned as negative. #NZvWI.”
The board further added, “The two groups will have their final tests on Day 12 and, results permitting, will leave managed isolation next Thursday, November 26. #NZvWI.”
Noteworthy, West Indies’ T20I skipper Kieron Pollard, Test captain Jason Holder, Fabian Allen, Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul, Nicholas Pooran, and Oshane Thomas are among other participants in the lucrative IPL 2020.
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson and pacer Trent Boult were part of the IPL 2020 and they are also undergoing isolation. However, the two are not part of the T20I squad.
The 1st T20I will be held in Auckland on November 27, followed by the second and third game in Mount Maunganui on November 29 and 3 respectively, and then two Test matches in Hamilton (December 3-7) and Wellington (December 11-15).
