Windies to name NZ tour squad soon

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

Roger Harper says that he and his team of selectors will meet next week to choose the West Indies squads for the tour of New Zealand.

The Caribbean side is scheduled to play three Twenty20 (T20) Internationals and two Tests from November 27 to December 15, and Harper said that an expanded squad of reserves would be included, in keeping with the new protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There’ll be a T20 International team, and, of course ,the Test team, and as usual now, we’ll be taking some reserve players on tour, which will serve to provide backup players if needed during the tour as well as provide practice players,” Harper told i95FM Sports here.

“What is likely to happen because of scheduling is the Test team is likely to go out first and have an early camp, and some of the T20 players who are in the region will travel with that Test team, and the T20 players who are involved in the IPL will join the team later.”

The tour is the second one for West Indies after their historic three-Test series in England last July, the first to be played in a bio-secure environment because of COVID-19.

No spectators were allowed at matches, and players were placed in an isolated bubble away from the general public for the duration of the tour.

Covid-19 Management

New Zealand has been one of the most successful nations in managing the pandemic, with 1,500 confirmed infections, only 41 active case, and 25 deaths.

Despite the relatively low risk, Harper said players had been briefed on the protocols and would be given the option to decline selection.

“There was a briefing recently where the players were informed of what is taking place, what measures have been put in place, what protocols will obtain during the tour,” Harper said.

“And when we look at finalising the squad, we’ll discuss with them whether they are willing to tour or not [and get] their position on that.”

“At this point, we’ve not had a definite indication from anyone that they’re not interested [in touring].”

West Indies were forced to travel without left-handers Darren Bravo and Shimron Hetmyer, along with all-rounder Keemo Paul, for the tour of England after the trio declined selection due to COVID-19 fears.

However, the tour was seen as a success for the new bio-secure protocols, and West Indies Women subsequently undertook a five-match T20 International series in England last month.

West Indies will open the tour of New Zealand with the T20 series, the first match scheduled for Eden Park in Auckland under lights, with the last two set for Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on November 29 and 30.

Seddon Park in Hamilton will host the first Test starting December 3 with the historic Basin Reserve in Wellington the stage for the second Test, beginning December 11.

West Indies have not won a Test series on New Zealand soil in 25 years, and their last Test series win over the Black Caps came eight years ago in the Caribbean.