Amid the Coronavirus threat, West Indies captain Jason Holder has arrived in Manchester on Tuesday (June 9) along with his 39-man touring party, including a 14-man strong squad and a reserve group comprising 11 players for the three-match Test series in England starting next month.
Given the COVID-19 pandemic measures, the touring party will now serve a fortnight-long quarantine period at the on-site hotel, as the Windies players will train in isolation for the next three weeks at Emirates Old Trafford before leaving for Southampton’s Ageas Bowl for the first Test begins on July 8.
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After West Indies' arrival in England, Holder pointed out the significance of the upcoming Test series, which has acquired historic status as it will mark the return of international cricket since the Coronavirus-forced hiatus in March, as well as, it will be played without spectators in light of the pandemic.
However, the star all-rounder admitted that it would not be normal series as it would be played under different circumstances, but said they “have a lot of things to be thankful for” that they got the opportunity to play some cricket in these bleak circumstances.
The captain further said the touring side should cherish the opportunity to play in a Test series that could have been canceled due to the COVID-19 crisis, and grab the opportunity with both hands.
Holder told reporters, “I see so many leagues in jeopardy and the World T20 as well -- so the mere fact we are getting an opportunity to play cricket I think we should cherish that.”
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The all-rounder further added, “Many organizations are taking pay cuts and we have suddenly got our opportunity now to make some money so we have a lot of things to be thankful for and I think we just have to relish the opportunity and grab it with both hands.
It's not going to be a normal bilateral series here in England. But at the end of the day, this is where we are with the state of world cricket - the state of the world, per se. No doubt it will be different. But we just have to get on with it and try to make the most of the circumstances in these trying times.”
He also expects his team to cope with the COVID-19 restrictions, adding: “Guys have different ways of doing it. We’ve been to some places, for example, in the sub-continent (where) you don’t go outside the hotel too much.”
Last year, West Indies won the Wisden Trophy after beating England 2-1 in a three-Test series at home, but Holder said they are not looking much at that success as the things are different this time, saying the hosts England are favorites in the upcoming Test series.
He further added, “So many things have changed from then to now, conditions being one of them. To call us favorites would be wrong. England is a higher-ranked side than us and I think they are favorites in their back yard.”
The captain has also insisted that the entire Windies squad is highly motivated for the series and looking forward to giving their best against England.
Holder signed off by saying, “West Indians are fuelled and motivated in different ways. In the previous series, particularly against England, people have said things prior to the series beginning, and that has fuelled a lot of things within us as West Indians. There is lot to play for and lots to motivate you as a group. Guys are pumped up for the opportunity and the only sad thing is that we won’t be able to play in front of the crowds.”
(With Reuters Inputs)
