Pollard, Holder, Pooran among 12 withdrawals from Windies’ Bangladesh tour, amidst Covid concerns

West Indies Test captain Jason Holder and One-Day International captain Kieron Pollard are among 10 cricketers who rejected call-ups for next month’s tour of Bangladesh due to ‘Covid-19 related concerns or personal fears’.

The other players who ‘declined the opportunity to tour’ for similar reasons are: Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran. 

Photo: West Indies captain Kieron Pollard gestures during their first ODI match against Sri Lanka in Colombo on 22 February 2020.
(Copyright AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

A Cricket West Indies (CWI) media statement also noted that Fabian Allen and Shane Dowrich are ‘unavailable due to personal reasons’.

West Indies are scheduled to play three ODIs and two Tests in Chattogram and Dhaka, in a shortened tour. The regional team should arrive in Dhaka on 10 January, while the series ends on 15 February.

Bangladesh has a population of just over 164 million people and had over 500,000 infections and 7,000 deaths since the onset of the pandemic. Trinidad and Tobago, with a population of 1.4 million, recorded 7,115 positive cases and 125 deaths as of yesterday evening.

The CWI Covid-19 policy, according to the release, 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.

In the absence of a dozen first-team players, the CWI selection panel recalled 34-year-old former Trinidad and Tobago captain Jason Mohammed to serve as ODI captain, while 28-year-old batsman Kraigg Brathwaite will lead the Test team.

Photo: West Indies batsman Kraigg Brathwaite makes an attacking shot during during the 2nd Test Match against England at Old Trafford on 19 July 202.
(Copyright Dan Mullan/Getty Images for ECB)

Right-handed top-order batsman Kavem Hodge, 27, received a maiden Test call-up, while left-handed opener Shayne Moseley, 26, and all-rounder Kyle Mayers, 28, will tour in the Test squad for the first time—after making trips to England and New Zealand as reserves this year. Mayers made his T20I debut against New Zealand last month.

“Kavem Hodge […] has been around for a few years and has made a case for himself and he now gets his chance,” said CWI lead selector Roger Harper. “The fact that he also bowls left arm spin has certainly helped his cause. We also have Kyle Mayers and Shayne Moseley, who have both toured with the team to England and New Zealand as reserves, being selected in the Test Squad for the first time. 

“Moseley [is] coming off successful ‘A Team’ games in New Zealand and Mayers has performed well in each of the CWI regional tournaments and also the CPL, over the last year.”

Twenty-seven-year-old Akeal Hosein, a left-arm spinner allrounder, and 31-year-old Kjorn Ottley, a left-handed top-order batsman, received their first ODI call-ups. Both are Trinidadians.

“The absence of several more  experienced players has certainly provided an opportunity for the left-handed Kjorn Ottley who has had a good Super50 tournament last year,” said Harper.


Photo: Batsman Kjorn Ottley (right) and his brother Yannick during regional cricket action.

Harper hinted that the weakened West Indies touring party face an uphill challenge but said he expects the selected squad to be ‘very competitive’.

“Tours of Bangladesh are never easy as they always play well in their own conditions,” he said. “Although a number of the senior players are missing in both formats, I expect our teams to be very competitive. I expect our players to play with purpose, with passion and with the desire to prove that they belong at this level.”

West Indies Test Squad:

Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Jermaine Blackwood (vice-captain), 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, and Jomel Warrican.

West Indies ODI Squad:

Jason Mohammed (captain), Sunil Ambris (vice-captain), 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, and Hayden Walsh Jr.

Photo: Jason Mohammed on the attack during the 3rd ODI against England at The Brightside Ground in Bristol on 24 September 2017.

Full tour schedule

January 10: West Indies arrive

January 18: One-day warm-up match, BKSP, Savar

January 20: 1st ODI, SBNCS, Dhaka

January 22: 2nd ODI, SBNCS, Dhaka

January 25: 3rd ODI, ZACS, Chattogram

January 28-31: Four-day warm-up, MA Aziz Stadium, Chattogram

February 3-7: 1st Test Match, ZACS, Chattogram

February 11-15: 2nd Test Match, SBNCS, Dhaka

More from Wired868
Vaneisa: Spirits of the game; West Indies’ friendly ghosts at the Gabba

“In our eras of greatness, when West Indies took the field, ghostly presences walked with the players, representing commitment to Read more

“He exemplifies spirit of West Indies cricket!” Shamar gets CWI  retainer contract

West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph today received the latest reward for his sensational test debut in Australia, as he Read more

Dear Editor: Windies, wake up! Why do we turn up against England and not Australia?!

“[…] Impatience was our downfall… Kraigg Brathwaite and Tagenarine Chanderpaul have got to have a long hard look at themselves Read more

Bishop, Imlach, Greaves, Walsh among WI ODI picks, “Hetty” and Cariah miss out

Twenty-year-old Grenadian top order batsman Teddy Bishop and 27-year-old Guyanese wicketkeeper-batsman Tevin Imlach are in line to make their One Read more

Early Bird: How England plan to use Pollard to get back on white ball track

The story about Kieron Pollard’s recently signed consultancy contract has not got a lot of traction in the media. But Read more

Holder, Mayers skip Australia Tests for T20 cricket; WI name seven uncapped players

West Indies will be without allrounder Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers for their two-Test series against Australia next month, as Read more

About Editor

Check Also

Vaneisa: Spirits of the game; West Indies’ friendly ghosts at the Gabba

“In our eras of greatness, when West Indies took the field, ghostly presences walked with …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.