West Indies Test skipper Jason Holder is among the 10 players who will skip his country's tour of Bangladesh due to "COVID-19 related concerns or personal fears", Cricket West Indies (CWI) said on Tuesday (December 29).
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Apart from Holder, Kieron Pollard, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran have opted out of the tour that comprises three ODIs and two Tests in Chattogram and Dhaka.
Fabian Allen and Shane Dowrich have made themselves unavailable for the tour, citing personal reasons.
CWI said its COVID-19 policy "allows any player to opt out of selection for an overseas tour, only when based on the player's own safety fears or concerns".
"Such decisions will not impact their consideration for future selection."
Kraigg Brathwaite has been shouldered with the responsibility to lead the Test squad while Jermaine Blackwood has been named the vice-captain.
Former West Indies A team captain Jason Mohammed will lead the ODI team with Sunil Ambris being his deputy.
The tour is due to start January 20 in Dhaka and it will run until February 15.
"Tours of Bangladesh are never easy as they always play well in their own conditions," said West Indies coach Roger Harper.
"Although a number of the senior players are missing in both formats, I expect our teams to be very competitive."
West Indies Test squad
Kraigg Brathwaite (capt), Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, John Campbell, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Kavem Hodge, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Shayne Moseley, Veerasammy Permaul, Kemar Roach, Raymon Reifer, Jomel Warrican
West Indies ODI squad
Jason Mohammed (capt), Sunil Ambris, Nkrumah Bonner, Joshua Da Silva, Jahmar Hamilton, Chemar Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Andre McCarthy, Kjorn Ottley, Rovman Powell, Raymon Reifer, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh
Tour schedule
20 Jan: 1st ODI at Dhaka
22 Jan: 2nd ODI at Dhaka
25 Jan: 3rd ODI at Chattogram
3-7 Feb: 1st Test at Chattogram
11-15 Feb: 2nd Test Match at Dhaka
(With AFP inputs)
